Suicide prevention resources should be better promoted

There has been a great injustice to some members of our IU community recently. If you haven't heard about it, that's because they can't speak for themselves. The people I'm referring to are Jason Schwab and Bradley Henninger. You know the names and have read the stories. Many of you were their friends or acquaintances. \nThe injustice I am speaking of is not the fond memorials that have been held for these, our fellow students. The beautiful eulogies, the outpouring of support for the families and the empathy of the entire IU family have been tributes to their legacies. \nThe injustice I am speaking of concerns the lack of discussion about the serious problem of suicide. This issue is central to campus life, yet the IU administration and community have been remiss in addressing it.\nWhen preparing this column, I looked for signs that someone on campus cared about my safety. I looked in the IDS for columns urging students to be aware of resources for suicide. I looked online and for fliers for information about who to contact about depression. I put myself in the shoes of someone considering suicide and went looking for help. \nFirst, I looked for help on depression and suicidal thoughts and actions. I turned on my computer and saw the IUB Web site that pops up when you open Netscape. Only a few clicks away was the IU Health Center's Web site, which told me that at Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS), "a walk-in service is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for those who require immediate care. You will be seen as promptly as is possible for an appointment." \nI was ready to write a column praising IU's resources. But when I looked at my watch, it was after 5 p.m. Friday. There didn't appear to be anyone at Health Services who would help me, so I continued my search elsewhere. \nI picked up my copy of the IDS. On the front page was a story about environmentalists and lobbying efforts … blah, blah, blah. I almost put it back down, but at the bottom of the page I stumbled upon an article about a fellow student who had committed suicide, and an accompanying article about suicide prevention ("Health Center provides counseling, resources to prevent suicide," March 27). \n"Eureka!" I thought. Here is the resource I need. First, the article told me I was not alone. This is good news! There is an average of one suicide per year on campus, and this year there have been two. \nThe article said the "Health Center offers counseling for individuals and groups." But I already knew that, and they weren't open. Now what? The article said "the Mental Health Association offers a 'listening line,' at 332-6060, which offers counseling 6 p.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday." \nThis is a good service, but it was Friday, and so even that wasn't available. \nDoes the University not see this issue as a problem? Does the tragic death of some of our fellow classmates not warrant a closer look at these issues? There is help out there for those who need it, and it is our responsibility to make sure every student knows how to get it.\nIf you are depressed or suicidal, you can get help immediately, 24 hours a day, by calling 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or visit\nwww.suicidecrisiscenter.com. Bloomington does not have a local crisis intervention system, but there is one in Indianapolis you can call at (317) 251-7575.\nThese resources and others should be posted on the CaPS Web site, and other resources for problems such as sexual abuse and assault, anger management, drinking problems and conflict resolution should be posted and available as well. Only through making these resources available will we be able to curb the prevalence suicide and other problems.