Emma Fleming
Reporter
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. As part of Suicide Prevention Month, Parkland is hosting and taking part in several events that spread awareness and concern about suicide. Fall and winter can be hard for those struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or other conditions. The purpose of Suicide Prevention Month is to encourage the public and medical professionals to learn the warning signs of suicide and how to prevent it. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), nearly 45,000 Americans die by suicide every year and the suicide rate in America has increased by 25% since 1999. The statistics keep increasing and in response to the rising rates, AFSP is sponsoring educational events across the country. Dennis Cockrum, counselor and advisor at Parkland College, states that “there’s all kinds of different things, and a lot of the things are sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Their big event is the Out of Darkness Walk to Fight Suicide to raise money for research and ramping up education.”
Events that Parkland has hosted this month include the 22 Challenge, where community members did 22 push-ups in support of veteran suicide prevention and the AFSP Out of the Darkness: Community Walk to Fight Suicide at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana. At this event, Parkland students, faculty, and community members attended in support of the cause. Those that attended this event participated in a walk around Crystal Lake and listened to encouraging words from a board member of the Illinois State Chapter. The teams that were able to raise 150 points for the cause also received an Out of Darkness T-shirt for this year. Parkland Friends, a team made up of 13 faculty members and students raised $2,275, surpassing the $1,000 goal for the event.
Future events include National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 17 in room U140 and International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Nov. 17 in room U140. National Depression Screening Day includes a free video session, panel discussion, and confidential depression screenings to help students better understand their behavior. International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event for those affected by suicide loss. The event will include an AFSP sponsored video, breakfast, panel, small group discussions, and an art activity. “Most people get a little uneasy with loss or suicide because typically people want to fix things,” Cockrum explains. “But you can’t fix that, you just have to learn to make space for it if it happens if your life.”
“I feel very passionate about it,” Cockrum says “and I don’t want it to happen to anybody else, and I don’t want it to happen to a Parkland student.” Cockrum is not only an academic advisor, but also a mental health counselor who helps students and community members with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or even relationship issues. Cockrum explains that Suicide Prevention Month is about making a connection with someone and being able to notice if someone you know is struggling in some way. Depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders can affect anyone and maybe even people you know.
The first step in getting the right help for someone is starting a conversation. It is important that if you know someone who is struggling, to reach out and support them. There are many different local and national resources to contact for help or questions. “The AFSP.org website has really good resources online for how to have a conversation with your friend if you think they’re in danger,” Cockrum says. “It teaches about the warning signs if you are thinking that something is odd.” If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental disorder, please reach out to Parkland’s Counseling Services. Parkland’s Counseling Services are open to all students and will help students get the assistance that they need. Counseling and Advising is located in room U267 and can be contacted at 217/351-2219 or
counselingservices@parkland.edu.
