"We all have mental health--to lose--or to nurture." -- Dori S. Hutchinson
Suicide in the United States has escalated to its highest levels in nearly 30 years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Of special concern is its rate among young people, including those of college age, where the number of suicides has been on the rise for the past several years.
In 2014, it was the second-leading cause of death among those ages 15 to 34. That's up from five years before that, in 2009, when it was the third-leading cause behind homicides, second, and unintentional injuries, first.
In comparison, suicide is the third leading cause of death among persons aged 10-14 years, the fourth among persons aged 35-44 years, the fifth among persons aged 45-54 years, the eighth among person 55-64 years, and the seventeenth among persons 65 years and older.
Here at Boston University, it's the first week in May 2016 -- finals week, which means the school year is coming to a close. Students are filled with anxiety and stress, pulling "all-nighters" in order to study, write papers, and finish projects.
Within the past month, BU police crime logs, as reported in the student newspaper, the Daily Free Press, show a noticeable increase in police responses to incidents involving suicidal thoughts and gestures since February.
But why the increase? What is really happening?
Dori S. Hutchinson, director of services for the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, believes this problem is a result from a variety of factors:
1. No one talks openly about suicide, a taboo – if there is no dialogue, it becomes difficult to understand what works into place in systems of care, communities, and schools.
2. There is a general belief that suicide prevention is solely a health care professional's responsibility, when in fact, it is everyone’s.
3. The last 15 years have been a time of high anxiety and changing social dynamics—more poverty, more hopelessness, more isolation, more suffering, etc.
BU's response
Along with promoting its resources for those contemplating suicide, Boston University has also used its news website, BU Today, as a way to stress the importance of mental health.
BU Today has published a special four-part series, "Mental Health Matters."
The series started with a “YouSpeak,” where students talk candidly about what stresses them out and how they cope with the stressors in their lives.
The Backlash
In March, a BU student was found dead in Kilachand Hall. The cause has not been announced and the case has been under investigation by police. But in the death's wake, the university has been criticized for a lack of support for its students.
Ibrahim Rashid, a 19-year-old undergraduate student studying International Relations at BU, wrote two pieces criticizing the Student Health Services at Boston University. The Huffington Post published both of them.
Rashid tweeted his article to Boston University Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore:
The first post, "Mental Health Takes a Hit at Boston University," criticizes the university's mental health system, and includes an individual narrative by Naomi Carolan, a co-author on the piece.
The second post, “Is Boston University Bold Enough to Listen?” is a follow-up post to the first. The first post received more than 3,000 likes and was shared over 400 times. Rashid’s message is this: mental health clearly matters at Boston University, so is the administration going to do anything to improve its system?
Rashid brings in anecdotes by unnamed students who have attempted to visit Student Health Services, only to leave with an unpleasant experience.
One Boston University Student even tweeted Rashid, showing support for his articles:
Rashid has become the voice for those who feel the university is neglecting them.
one way boston university is responding
Boston University Club Students For Life has stepped forward to help aid in the fight against suicide. The club originally focused on issues of abortion and the death penalty, but now has felt the need to encompass suicide as well.
the support
Jillian Furchak, a sophomore at Boston University studying Public Relations, has visited BU's Student Behavioral Health Services. She describes SHS as being "attentive" and "on it."
Furchak called the center at the start of her freshmen year and was surprised to receive a call back within the week. However, she was even more surprised when they directed her to a complete database of doctors in the area that were personalized for her based on her insurance company.
"I've had such an awesome experience," Furchak says.
In response to the criticism that SHS receives for its alleged slow response times, Furchak says SHS is most likely busy trying to help as many students as it can.
Furchak also says that BU gives its students plenty of other resources for mental health assistance aside from SHS.
a solution
Dorothy S. Hutchinson, Jillian Furchak, and Ibrahim Rashid all say that a supportive community is essential in helping those who are contemplating suicide.
Hutchinson says that the entire Boston University community needs to market that student health matters. The message needs to come from the administration as well as the students.
"…remember that we care, we will listen. Nothing…is so big that we can't help you get through it and we will…talk to someone, ask for help, we are here. No judgment, only empathy. Lots of support and care." – Dori S. Hutchinson
List of Boston University Resources for Suicide Prevention:
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders: 617-353-9610
Danielsen Institute: 617-353-3047
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation: 617-353-3549
Student Health Behavioral Medicine (Mental Health) Clinic: 617-353-3569
Boston University Police Department: 617-353-2121
Sexual Assault Response and Prevention (SARP): 717-353-7277
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Active Minds: 202-332-9595
top photo: Boston Charles River by Alexis Ortiz
