Briar Cliff University recognizes Suicide Prevention Month

With September acknowledged as National Suicide Prevention Month, it is important to note the crucial clues to help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. 

Briar Cliff University welcomed the president of the Northeast Suicide Prevention Coalition, Donna Wolff, to inform the campus about suicide prevention. 

“If people in a crisis get the help that they need, they may never be suicidal again," says Wolff. “Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers their anxiety. It opens communication with somebody who can really make a true difference.”

Suicide happens more often than people realize. The World Health Organization released data showing that 800,000 people die each year by suicide. 

“Suicide is the most preventable kind of death,” says Wolff. “Almost any positive action may save a life. Having that one conversation. You truly don’t realize the impact that you make on another human being in the world that you touched.” 

Briar Cliff’s Director of Counseling, Therese Copple, says, “Sometimes it’s a switch – almost like a light switch – where darkness comes quickly. Not everyone who experiences suicidal thoughts has mental health issues. It can happen to anyone.”

Both Wolff and Copple have voiced their concerns about the stigma surrounding mental health issues and believe that normalizing these issues is important. This comes from learning and talking about mental health more often. 

“This is a true physical chemical imbalance in their brain," says Wolff. “You need to ask the questions. There’s a lot of clues and warning signs that go along with suicide. We need to take them all seriously.”

Suicide not only affects those struggling with these thoughts but also families and friends who have lost a loved one because of it. 

“It’s so much of a difficult death than it would be if that person died in a car accident or cancer or any other health condition,” says Wolff. “There’s complicated grief that goes along with that.”

Wolff and Copple have both communicated the importance of learning how to approach and talk to suicidal people and help them through what they may be experiencing. 

“Pay attention to the people in your life,” requests Wolff. “Suicidal people often believe that they cannot be helped, so you may have to do more... The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.”

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please each out to any of the following resources:

• Jacki Volz – Director of Student Health Services – Alverno G-4B

• Therese Copple – Director of Counseling – Alverno G-4C

• Call: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) Hours are available 24/7 and the cost is free.

• Text: HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor 

A poster from the Briar Cliff softball team about National Suicide Prevention Month on the bulletin board in Heelan Hall.