#ENGL3173blogpost

[rareenglishmajor]

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

This blog post contains topics of depression and suicide. Reader discretion is advised. 

One of my favorite actors is Robin Williams; I grew up watching his movies time and time again. My family and I often take road trips in our RV, and every trip we watch William’s movie RV (and, yes, I mean every single time). I can probably quote the entire movie of Jumanji. I would like to think that Williams is one of the greatest actors of my lifetime. However, on Aug. 11, 2014, Robin Williams took his own life.

Being only twelve years old at the time, I did not have a very good grasp of the concepts of depression and suicide. I could not wrap my head around why someone would take their own life. Now, eight years later, I have seen my own friends and family struggle with these things. I realize now that anyone can experience depression and suicidal thoughts, even if it is not blatantly obvious. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is number 12 among the leading causes of death among Americans.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In only two years of college, I have seen the devastating effects of depression and suicide among my classmates. Roughly one in five college students has struggled with suicidal thoughts according to Verywell Mind. Because the stigma against mental health is still at large, everyone needs to know the warning signs of depression and suicide.

Depression and suicidal thoughts can be brought about because of extreme stress, traumatic events, or biological factors. Someone thinking about suicide may isolate themselves and stop doing things they once enjoyed. They may engage in risky behaviors, such as substance use, and show decreased academic and work performance. They may even discuss thoughts of death with those around them.

Robin Williams once said, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it feels like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anybody else to feel like that.” During the month of September, make it a goal to spread awareness about suicide prevention. And remember to check up on those around you, because you very well might save their life.

For more information, check out these resources: 

- College suicide rates and statistics

- Promote National Suicide Awareness Month

- Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (SPAM)