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The voice of Austin Peay State University students since 1929
LOVE
Feb. 18, 2009 | Vol. 81, Issue 19
First copy free, additional copies 50 cents each
APSU students raise awareness for suicide prevention By JENELLE GREWELL Staff Writer
To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) is a suicide prevention movement dedicated to providing hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, cutting and suicide. Wednesday, Feb. 11, through Friday, Feb. 13, the Wesley Foundation raised suicide awareness throughout the Morgan University Center. Students and faculty were offered information about suicide prevention and to have the word “love” written on their arms. “TWLOHA is to make people aware that especially around Valentine’s Day people commit suicide because they feel alone and empty,” Carolyn Hawkins, freshman music major, said. Rev. Jodi McCullah of the Wesley Foundation said the idea was to have people walk all over campus with love written on their arms to prompt discussion about depression and suicide. McCullah said people often feel very unloved during this time of the year. “We would like for them to feel like there is love all around them.”
“Words can hurt more than anything, and sometimes those words can lead to someone wanting to commit suicide.” Lowell Roddy, Student Counseling Services
Casey Brock, an undeclared sophomore, said the ultimate idea of TWLOHA is to let people know they are loved. Hawkins said TWLOHA is trying to reach out to everyone. McCullah said, “Specifically, that one person in nine who is going to be dealing with depression, but also to those who aren’t dealing with depression to make them aware that not everybody is happy right now.” Lowell Roddy of Student Counseling and Health Services said writing love is a good symbol, but is not enough. “When someone is depressed they may not feel loved, no matter what you do.” Roddy said a depressed person may feel even more depressed being around a lot of happy people. Hawkins also said she would also like to make people aware what they say to others. “Words can hurt more than anything, and sometimes those words
can lead to someone wanting to commit suicide.” Sarilda Mayberry, a freshman education major, said people can come to the Wesley Foundation with their problems. “We want people to know we care and if they are hurting they can come to Wesley.” “People are sharing their experience at this table, about friends or themselves,” McCullah said. She said it always helps to talk about depression and suicide. The Jed Foundation works to reduce the rate of suicide and emotional distress among college students. According to the Jed Foundation Web site, nearly half of all college students said they had been so depressed, they couldn’t function at some point during the last school year. Roddy said, next to accidents, suicide is the second-most frequent cause of death in college students. Roddy said he believes the age group of 18 to 24 is so susceptible to suicide because a lot is happening in their lives, such as transitions and lifestyle changes. Roddy also said there are more heartbreaks because people become seriously in love. Roddy said depression is a mood disorder characterized by low interest in life. “For some people, depression is used interchangeably with feeling blue. That’s not it.” “Very often people need medical prevention, such as antidepressants,” Roddy said. He said people are afraid to take them because they fear having to take them for life, or they do not like the stigma. He said it is no different from taking any other medication that makes life better. “It is much like taking insulin for a diabetic, it is just medicine.” Roddy said it is important to take medication and counseling together. According to the Jed Foundation Web site, the most effective way in
unity celebration dinner
preventing suicide is to know the warning signs and take them seriously. Common warning signs include hopelessness, rage, anger, reckless actions, feeling trapped, increased use of drugs or alcohol, withdrawing from friends, family and society, anxiety, differences in sleep patterns, dramatic mood changes and expressing no purpose to life. Roddy said if you have a friend who is considering suicide, go with them to get help immediately. Mayberry said if a friend is suicidal, try and catch it early. “Even if they joke, take it seriously.” F
National Institute of Mental Health statistics According to the NIMH, suicide is a major preventable health problem that accounted for 32,439 deaths in the U.S. in 2004. Almost four times as many males as females die by suicide. An estimated eight to 25 nonfatal suicide attempts occur per suicide death. Youth risk factors for attempted suicide include: depression, alcohol and/or drug-use disorder, physical or sexual abuse and disruptive behavior.
stephanie martin | staff phOTOgraPHER
Student representatives from the Wesley Foundation write the word “love” on each other’s arms in the Morgan University Center. The foundation aims to raise suicide and depression awareness during the week ofValentine’s Day.
Source: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Dining services, SR 19 discussed By STEPHANIE WALKER Staff Writer
Senate Resolution 18 passed, SR 19 was presented, and a new senator was sworn in during the Wednesday, Feb. 11, Student Government Association meeting.
EC Report SGA Chief Justice Will Moore reported applications for SGA will be available Monday, Feb. 23. SGA Vice President Steven Biter reported there are still two Senate
seats open for the College of Arts and Letters, and two for graduate students. Biter said he would try to connect with graduate students through the graduate newsletter. SGA President Chris Drew announced the Peay Pickup event on Facebook and would appreciate any feedback so it could be considered for the renewal of the contract Drew also announced SGA is working on the Student Regent process and would be recommending one person for the Tennessee Board of
Regents. Drew said the federal stimulus packet still has not arrived, but when it does it will have an update on the budget cuts and financial situation at APSU. However, the information on the tuition increase will not be set until June.
Committee Reports Joe Mills, director of Housing/Residence Life and Dining Services, attended the See SGA, page 2
Southeast Journalism Conference 2009 mateen sidiq | senior photographer
Walter M. Kimbrough Jr., 12th president of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., was the guest speaker at the Unity Celebration Dinner Wednesday, Feb. 11, sponsored by Student Affairs. He was deemed one of the youngest college presidents in the nation and wrote a book titled “Black Greek 101.”
Members of The All State staff earned recognition at the 22nd annual Southeast Journalism Conference at Belmont University in Nashville, Feb. 12-14.
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