From the Desk of the CWO: Suicide Prevention and Awareness

It's September. Fall is teasing us, and school has started. I wanted to pause on my usual blog about the Clemson Well-Being Council's strategic planning process (we are refining our vision, mission and goals), and focus on something really important: suicide prevention.

This month, Dr. Gainor and I wanted to collaborate to discuss suicide prevention and awareness as a part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month because we recognize from our experience that one of the scariest times for people is starting something new. Whether you are staff, students or faculty, the beginning of the new semester is stressful, demanding and potentially overwhelming.

Students can feel isolated if they haven't socially connected yet, they can be missing family, and struggling to develop a new routine. For faculty and staff, the increasing operational tempo of campus life can put a strain on work-life balance, invoke pressure from career goals, or there may be financial strain if the job is a new move for an individual. Humans are creatures of habit, and disrupting the norm can trigger emotions outside of what we may be used to experiencing. Even happy events can cause feelings of fear or apprehension.

These feelings are normal. Sometimes we forget that without sadness and grief, we wouldn't also know joy, love and peace. However, sometimes people get stuck in the cycle of these negative emotions and it can start to impact your normal daily routine and activities. If you see yourself or a colleague or a student or even another loved one stuck in a pattern of negative behavior enough to impact daily routines, it's time to get help.

And we really want everyone to know that it's okay to seek help. Asking for help is not a sign of failure. We also want you to know that you aren't alone. Isolation and loneliness are horrible feelings, but here at Clemson University, we want people to reach out, connect with someone and let them know they are a part of our Clemson family. Connection with others can help protect against a sense of isolation and loneliness. This campus is populated by people from varied backgrounds, beliefs and cultures, but what we have in common is that Tigers take care of other Tigers.

When Tigers take care of Tigers, there are many ways to reach out and help someone that might be struggling:

• Ask them if they need help! Sometimes just having a conversation provides support someone needs in the moment.
• Encourage them that struggling right now doesn't mean they will struggle forever - Clemson has resources to support everyone.
• If you are concerned about immediate self-harm or harm to someone else, please access emergency services. Call 911 or Clemson University Police Department at 864-656-2222.
• If there is a crisis, call 988 - the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis hotline.
• If it's not an emergency, offer to connect them to resources:
  • Refer the individual to the CARE Network
  • Tell them about Counseling and Psychological Services
  • Invite them to explore opportunities through Campus Recreation
  • Tell them about the Aspire programs
  • Refer them to the Employee Assistance Program

And this September, Clemson Undergraduate Student Government is hosting a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week which includes a panel discussion on mental health and well-being. The event is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Amphitheater. The panel will include Clemson's first lady, Beth Clements, Patricia Whitener (staff member in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences), Winifred Elysse Newman (associate dean in the College of Architecture, Art and Construction), Delana Reynolds (staff member in Healthy Campus) and Anna Courie (chief well-being officer).

We hope you'll join us for this terrific event, join in a candid conversation about mental health and well-being and help build a community of Tigers that care for Tigers (and others!)

#BeThere