Week marks awareness of suicide prevention

Did you know that one of every 10 college students has considered suicide?

Or that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students?

Or even that 17 percent of college students report that their friends have talked about wanting to end their lives?

Even more importantly, according to an email from UTM’s Dr. Jerald Ogg, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, suicide is the most preventable form of death.

Ogg said that UTM has a suicide prevention program called QPR, and that 14 university employees are certified instructors for QPR, including Dr. Darrell Ray and Dr. George Daniel.

Given that this week – Sept. 9-15 – is Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, Ogg said it would be a good idea for faculty and staff to schedule QPR training for your classes or staff meetings.

Student Health and Counseling Services, which conducts the training, also will conduct two open training sessions for students.  Faculty are encouraged to ask their students to attend, and attendance will be monitored.

Training 1:  3 p.m. today, Sept. 11, UC Ballroom.

Training 2:   7 p.m. Wedneday, Sept. 12, in 206C UC.

Students must sign in electronically and will not be admitted to the training if they are more than 5 minutes late.  The training covers some very pertinent information at the beginning of the presentation.  

For more information or to schedule a training session, email Jenifer Hart at jhart28@utm.edu.