MHC holds panel on suicide prevention

By: Aubrie Lawrence

Students gathered in the Scottsbluff room of the Student Center Tuesday night for a screening of “13 Reasons Why” presented by the Mental Health Club. The screening was presented on National Suicide Awareness day. 

After everyone grabbed a slice of pizza and a drink, the final episode of season 1 of  “13 Reasons Why” was started. The show highlights a young girl who commits suicide and leaves behind 13 tapes that tell why she did it and who caused it.  

During the screening, students were to send in anonymous questions about the show that would help spark the discussion panel lead by CSC faculty members Dr. Susan Schaeffer, Dr. MaryJo Carnot, and Dr. Laura Gaudet. 

The questions covered a variety of topics such as: what went wrong with the situations of the show, how to help someone through depression or suicidal thoughts, how to find ways to help and how to cope with the loss of someone who decided to end their own life.  

The panel offered advice for students that are looking to enter counseling later in life and have a passion to help people struggling with mental illness. 

“Hopelessness. The one word that goes across is hopelessness; loss of hope. As in the show it’s the feeling of ‘I feel nothing and I don’t see anywhere to go’ and that is what, as a counselor, you need to help instill hope for people,” Dr. Schaeffer said. 

“Finding those few people that a person feels comfortable with that they can begin to share, have a sense that they are safe, and then begin to share a little more and continue that process,” Dr. Gaudet said.

The questions later developed into a conversation on why students aren’t required to take a course on suicide prevention as well as mental illness. 

President of the Mental Health Club Dinema Mate spoke of some of the hopes she had about this event.

“I hope that they learned that it’s okay to talk about it, that they’re not alone, everybody is going through something. But most importantly, it’s important to talk about it. It is important to talk about suicide and depression.” 

“So many people are like: ‘why should I join the Mental Health club, I’m okay.’ If you’re okay join so you can help someone who’s not okay.” Mate said.

Mate also pointed out that there are a variety of help outlets available on campus. Counselors and faculty are available to talk, residence advisors, and the peer mentor program.