College to host talk Thursday on signs of suicide
In observance of National Suicide Awareness Month, Meridian Community College is taking proactive steps to address mental health challenges within its student body and the broader community by hosting the talk “Signs of Suicide: Perception vs. Reality.”
This event, free to the college and community, is set for Thursday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. in the McCain Theater in Ivy-Scaggs Hall.
Dr. Lagena Bradley, national certified counselor, and Felicia Jenkins, R.N., B.S.N., both with Meridian's Alliance Health Center, will speak on the signs and myths about a suicidal person.
The College is hosting this program to bring awareness and understanding to this critical issue. September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and the second week in the month is National Suicide Awareness Week. "The Office of Student Support wanted to show that we stand with the rest of the country in facing this mental health issue and helping to be part of the solution," said Nedra Bradley, MCC executive director of Parent Services and Student Support.
Suicide affects everyone, not just a specific demographic, race, or ethnicity. “To combat the growing rates of suicide, we must be knowledgeable about it. This includes knowing the signs to look for and when we should intervene," Bradley said. "We may look at a person every day and not know they are on the verge of suicide."
"If we know the signs and have options, perhaps we can save a life," she added.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States and the third among 15 to 24-year-olds.
MCC partners with Psychology Associates and Weems to provide free mental health visits to its students, faculty, and staff. "Anyone who feels like they have no other options can reach out to me or Jeannette Howell (MCC support services coordinator) so that we can give them the information for these partners," Bradley said.
The College will soon have another mental health resource for students to reach out online to talk to counselors through TimelyCare. Plans are for the program to begin later this fall.
And on Thursday, Sept. 14, to bring additional focus to the subject, MCC students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear purple and teal colors; those are the colors for suicide awareness.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to speak with trained counselors who can provide support and resources.
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