Each year nearly 800,000 people die world-wide by suicide, becoming the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 through 24.
With alarming statistics only increasing, Student Health and Wellness and Student Activities collaborated to address this issue to students by inviting guest speaker Terry Bentley-Hill to share her testimony during Javelina Night-Out held last week on campus.
Bentley-Hill is a defense criminal attorney from Dallas who has survived the suicide of her husband, and nine years later the suicide of her youngest daughter.
Her husband was a district attorney who spoke the language of depression, and on Palm Sunday 1995 he committed suicide. Bentley-Hill’s daughter was smart, well-liked and had several friends, but at the age of 14 depression ended her life.
Although everything appeared normal on the outside, it’s how they felt inside that truly mattered.
The language of depression is expressed differently by everyone; therefore, it’s important to ask questions and approach with love and not judgement, Bentley-Hill said.
“We need to stop minding our own business. There are people who are struggling, who are lost, often in isolation, and we can help. We can help by learning how to speak the language of depression, being supportive, showing love and asking ‘Are you okay?’… Suicide is an epidemic, and we change that by sharing our story” Bentley-Hill said.
Suicide prevention begins by recognizing the warning signs and taking action.
Bentley-Hill expressed the importance of speaking about mental-health disorders and being able to help individuals coping with anxiety and depression. Bentley-Hill explained the biological mechanism behind anxiety and depression describing how cortisol and dopamine affect one’s state of mind.
“Suicide is something we should talk about because there’s people we can help. We can encourage people to ask questions and then maybe save a life,” Rae Martinez, animal science major, said after the event.
PEP Talk and the university’s police department also contributed to the awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.
PEP Talk educated the audience on the effects of smoking marijuana and drinking irresponsibly. TAMUK’s police officers opened their doors to all students who are looking to be heard and reminded students of upcoming safety classes on campus.
The event concluded with a raffle giving students the opportunity to win gift cards to several restaurants and stores.
“September is the month for Suicide Prevention; it’s a time to educate others on the awareness and resources available. A lot of people educate on STDs , sexual responsibility, but we are also responsible in educating people on suicide and how suicide looks. Suicide prevention is a priority, it needs to be addressed, and it’s important to know who are the individuals that can help,” Director of Student Health and Wellness Jo-Elda Alaniz said.