Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 12, 2007 issue
Story by Ron Fitzwater
New River Behavioral Health Care (NRBHC) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are teaming to co-sponsor two local events to draw attention to youth suicide and address ways to prevent it. At 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, NRBHC and NAMI will screen the DVD The Truth About Suicide: Real Stories of Desperation in College in room 1020 of ASU’s Raley Hall and at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, will hold a candle light vigil at Sanford Mall.
DVD Screening
Nationally suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and the third leading cause of death for all youths aged 15 to 24. Almost 4,000 people in this age group die of suicide each year. The groups hope the film, which is narrated by students who survived suicide attempts and the families of students who committed suicide, will help in eliminate the stigma surrounding clinical depression. Also, according to Francine Barr, recovery program specialist for NRBHC and vice-president for NAMI “We hope to establish a NAMI on campus as a place students can go if they are experiencing problems that may lead to suicide.”
One of the main concerns and driving influences for Barr in bringing the program to ASU is the college’s stated policy for students who exhibit suicidal behavior or fail an attempted suicide. The ASU policy states in part: “A student's decision to take his or her own life is so serious that the University cannot ignore this act. In most circumstances, this decision shows that a student has emotional or mental health problems beyond the student's immediate psychological resources. It often indicates that the student is not prepared to continue at the University in the semester in which he or she attempted suicide. Unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the student is no longer at risk to himself or herself and strong evidence that the student's continuation at the University is in the student's best interest, it is the policy of the University to administratively withdraw a student who has attempted suicide or who exhibits life-threatening behavior.” This policy is inconsistent with the treatment of other illnesses according to Barr. “Do they administratively withdraw a student who is diagnosed with cancer or is injured in a car crash? No, so why someone with a mental illness? One of the tenants of NAMI is ‘mental illness is an illness like any other,’” said Barr.
Candlelight Vigil
The purpose of the vigil is to spread vital information on youth suicide through testimonials of survivors and families of those who lost their lives because of mental illness. Barr will read a letter from ASU professor Debbie Cody written to her daughter who committed suicide in 2003 while attending UNC Chapel Hill. Guest speakers and advocates Beth Ann Russell and Catharine Ruffin will speak of their personal experiences with suicide. “The purpose of the vigil is to start people talking, and once they start talking they will open up about things they have been reluctant to discuss,” Barr said. “This is the only way to lift the stigma that this is bad and can’t be talked about.” Additionally, Barr said, the vigil is also to “applaud people who have come to grips with their illness and moved on in positive ways” and to provide a supportive place where people can say goodbye to people who, for whatever reason, didn’t find a way to manage their illness.
The Future
May is Mental Health Month, and several events are in the planning stages. NRBHC and NAMI will announce event information as soon as scheduling details are finalized.
Currently help for individuals of all ages is available through NRBHC via the crisis line at 828-264-HELP (4357).
What: The Truth About Suicide
Date: Thursday, April 12
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Room 1020, Raley Hall, ASU
Cost: Free
Event: Candlelight Vigil
Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Sanford Mall
Cost: Free
Story by Kathleen McFadden
NC Policy Watch (www.ncpolicywatch.org/about) recently released its first-ever Carolina Issues Poll, and the results showed that North Carolinians are broadly supportive of new, publicly funded efforts to aid the mentally ill and oppose executing mentally ill and disabled persons convicted of murder.
When asked if they supported a new state mandate that would require health insurance companies to cover the treatment of mental illness just like any other illness, 79 percent of voters surveyed said yes and 14 percent said no.
Voters were roughly divided over the question of mandating insurance coverage for persons with substance abuse problems, with 38 percent saying yes, 44 percent saying no and 18 percent responding with don’t know.
The support for public intervention was also strong when it comes to the provision of adequate public funding for housing mentally ill persons. According to the poll, more than two-thirds of voters—68 percent—said they favor additional taxpayer-provided funding to help assure that mentally ill persons are not housed with older, non-mentally ill persons as has been a common practice due to shortages of beds.
Voters also expressed strong support for the humane treatment of mentally ill and disabled persons convicted of murder. According to the poll, voters disapproved by a wide margin—52 percent to 30 percent—of the practice of sentencing such persons to death.
Compiled by Kathleen McFadden
In Our Own Voice: Living With Mental Illness April 16…
In Our Own Voice: Living With Mental Illness will be presented at the Multicultural Center at the Plemmons Student Union at ASU on Monday, April 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. as part of ASU’s annual Diversity Celebration Week. The program was developed by New River Behavioral Healthcare and will consist of a 14-minute video and live presentations by individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness who are trained to facilitate these discussions. For more info, call Francine Barr at 828-264-9007, ext. 119.
Mood Disorders in Young Children April 19…
On Thursday, April 19, Dr. Laureen Vilas of New River Behavioral Healthcare will present a program on Mood Disorders in Young Children: Treatment Options and Strategies for Parents and Professionals at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone beginning at 6:00 p.m. Research indicates that 7 to 14 percent of children will experience an episode of major depression before the age of 15, and 20 to 30 percent of adult bipolar patients report having their first episode before the age of 20. In addition, out of 100,000 adolescents, 2,000 to 3,000 will have mood disorders and of those, 8 to10 will commit suicide. Those who want to attend the presentation need to RSVP to the Watauga County Children’s Council, 828-262-5424, by Monday, April 16. Childcare and food will be provided at this free program.
Early-Onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents April 21…
Taking place from 9:00 a.m. to noon on April 21, at the Watauga High School Media Center, this community education event will provide information to parents and educators on recognizing early-onset mental illness in children and adolescents. Speakers will include a parent, a young adult consumer and mental health professionals. This three-hour program will help parents and teachers come to a mutual and better understanding of the early signs of mental health needs in children and adolescents and how to respond to these needs including how to link up with appropriate services. For more info, contact Francine Barr at 828-264-9007, ext. 119.
·Among young people aged 15 to 24, males die by suicide almost six times more frequently than females.
·Youth suicide rates vary among racial and ethnic groups. In 2001, white youth had a suicide rate of 11.5 per 1,000, African-Americans 7.3, Hispanics 6.1, Asian-Americans 6.4 and American Indians and Alaskan Natives 18.8.
·20 percent of all U.S. high school students report having seriously considered suicide and 8 percent make a suicide attempt.
·70 percent of youth who make a suicide attempt are frequent users of alcohol and other drugs.
·Over 90 percent of youth who die by suicide had at least one psychiatric illness at the time of death.
·76 percent of college students feel overwhelmed.
·22 percent of college students are so depressed they cannot function.
·30 percent of American colleges have at least one suicide.
·11 suicides per day are committed by 15 to 24 year olds, one every 2 hours and 11 minutes.
·There are more than 1,100 suicides on college campuses each year.
·4 of 5 youth who commit suicide show clear warning signs in advance.
·10 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression.
·15 percent of youth who commit suicide were in treatment at the time of their death.