Roughly 47 percent of Sinclair students are between the ages of 18 and 25, which is also the age group most at-risk for death by suicide, according to Eric Henderson, Counselor and staff member with Sinclair Counseling Services.
Sinclair Counseling Services has a week full of events and informational talks planned to spread the word and help save lives in honor of National Suicide Prevention Week.
Henderson said that suicide is the second leading cause of death among people 18 to 25 because of all the changes they normally face moving from high school to college to career.
All of these changes and more can cause insurmountable stress if not handled well.
Nearly 7.5 percent of adults 18 to 25 are estimated to be having serious thoughts about suicide, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). A staggering 77.9 percent of suicides are performed by males, while females are more likely than males to report suicidal thoughts.
Sinclair Counseling Services is equipped to help students through the battles that sometimes accompany life changes. They exist to help build self-esteem, to provide outreach and just to talk at those crucial times.
Henderson said that sometimes life happens, but that Counseling Services can provide support for when it does.
The main goal is to be supportive and talk about issues affecting students.
While many students may be afraid to admit they need help, it’s still reccomended to talk to someone trustworthy. At Counseling Services, all information is kept confidential and services are free of charge.
The hard part for some students may be admitting that they are actually in need of help. Henderson suggests that if you see someone crying or you can tell something is wrong, don’t be afraid to ask one simple question: “Are you okay?”
People will be more likely to open up to someone they can tell cares about them. Once they open up, they can begin that journey of healing, no matter how long-term it may be.
The event runs from September 5 through September 11.
The National Suicide Prevention Week event at Sinclair begin with a Sinclair Talk at 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, September 6.
Tuesday’s presentation will focus on suicide awareness, how to prevent suicide, as well as the risk factors and warning signs. There will be a discussion about how to communicate with and help someone who you think may be at risk. It will be located at the Building 8 stage area.
On Wednesday, September 7, there will be an outreach table full of free stuff and information about suicide prevention. This will be held on the third floor of Building 10 by Main Street Café.
On Thursday, September 8, there will be a mass launch of yellow balloons, as well as speakers from Save Us Dayton. All of the speakers are individuals who lost loved ones to suicide. The launch will be held outside Building 10, facing Third Street.
If you feel that you are in need of help, don’t be afraid to get in touch with members of Counseling Services staff. Their office is located in room 10-424 and they can be reached at 937-512-3032.
Meggan Lanahan
Reporter