Illustration by Janani Murugesan
By RJ Hunt
Editor
WCC has protocols in place when it comes to those contemplating suicide, but during the month of September, the school partipcates in different activities to spread awareness. The goal is to help people who are thinking about suicide and how to help someone you know who is thinking about such. WCC will be involved with different events throughout the month such as awareness walks, training sessions, and spreading the word through different media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WCC’s website.
Erin Goldman, a WCC counselor, wants those contemplating suicide to know there is help. Goldman has been with WCC since April of this year. She has helped with students and their needs along with spreading awareness about suicide this month. In her profession, she said how people have thought about suicide for many different reasons. Everyone is different so there are a variety of reasons, there is no such thing as one reason. “In general, it’s an overwhelming sense of emotional pain that surpasses the individual’s ability to cope with what’s going on,” Goldman said. Though there is not one specific reason, dealing with loss is a common theme. “It’s generally loss, but not always. It’s usually because they don’t know how to cope with it or don’t know how to deal with it,” Goldman said. Types of loss include breakups, job loss, or the death of a loved one.
WCC counselor, Erin Goldman, outside of the Counseling office on the 2nd floor of the Student Center. Paula Farmer | Washtenaw Voice
If you know someone who is thinking about suicide there are ways you can help prevent it from happening. “You want people to feel connectedness”, Goldman said. Try to engage them in activities where they are engaging with others and able to form bonds. If you know someone who is thinking about suicide then you should at least try to talk to them, but most importantly, tell somebody. It’s OK to seek help. “You don’t want to hurt a relationship and break anyone’s trust. However, if it’s somebody’s life at risk, most of us would do anything we can to make sure that person stays alive,” Goldman said. Sometimes you have to accept losing that trust if it means keeping that person alive.
Goldman also understands that one who is thinking about suicide might not come out and say they are thinking it. Many feel shame, stigma, and fear about their mental health, especially suicide. Goldman says if you think someone might be thinking about suicide, then the best approach is to show them you’re concerned and that you care. You can even ask directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts. This is where QPR training comes into play.
Another way to help with suicide prevention is partaking in QPR (question, persuade, refer) training sessions. WCC counselors will be hosting the training sessions in the LA building, room 229. There will be three sessions taking place:
Sept. 13, 3:30-5 p.m. (faculty and staff only)
Sept. 15, 11:30-1 p.m. (student only)
Sept. 22, 11:30-1 p.m. (open to all)
Faculty and staff can register through Kalpa and students should email Erin Goldman at ergoldman@wccnet.edu. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, what to say to someone and offer hope, and how to get them in contact with professional help and keep them safe.
WCC is also taking part in the “Out of Darkness” community walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The walk honors the lives of those lost to suicide and aims to spread awareness about suicide prevention. The walk is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. at Hudson Mills Metro Park, in Dexter.
Who to contact if you are contemplating suicide:
WCC contact
- Personal counseling office, to make an appointment call 734-677-5223.
- Call 833-WCC 4 YOU (833-922-4968), a toll free and 24/7 line for WCC students that provides support and referrals
Suicide Prevention Lifeline numbers
- Phone: 988 (The lifeline was shortened from 1-800-273-8255 to 988 in July 2022. 1-800-273-8255 is still active today)
- Veterans 998, press 1
- SMS text: 988
- Veterans, text 83255
- Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Veterans: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/