The best stories in life begin with the struggle. The back and forth, always questioning soul that can’t seem to place a finger on where they belong in this world.
Quite often, it is that kind of person who belongs here more than anyone else.
Suicide and mental health are massive problems facing college campuses today, with over 20% of students stating that at some point they grappled with mental health problems and considered self harm or suicide as a solution. Suicide is the second highest cause of death on college campuses, claiming more than 1,000 lives per year.
What’s even more alarming is the fact that between 80-90% of students who commit suicide were not receiving help from college counseling centers.
Fellow Bobcats: you are not alone. We students need to get better at using the services provided to us.
Ohio University has an entire center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), complete with 15 full time staff members, offering therapy, consultation, and psychiatric services. It is located on the 3rd Floor of Hudson Health Center and is open Monday through Friday.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, however. CPS has a plethora of other services, ranging from counselor-in-residence programs to group counseling.
Moreover, there are plenty of resources on campus to support students suffering from mental and emotional health issues.
“Send Silence Packing” is a recent example of such an event that highlights the increasingly dangerous problem of campus suicide and mental health issues. While it does do an adequate job of raising awareness, the responsibility still falls on students to take the initiative to seek the help that they need.
Beyond Athens, the rest of the state and nation grapples with issues of suicide and mental health as well. In fact, the suicide rate of young adults aged 15-24 has tripled over the past 60 years.
Colleges are responding appropriately by adding more clinicians, partnering with mental health organizations, and creating 24 hour support hotlines. But in the face of all the work that universities are putting in, the underlying problem remains: students need to actually use these services.
There is a clear stigma associated with those struggling with mental health issues, and it is preventing individuals from receiving the care that they need.
“Stigma harms people who are publicly labeled as mentally ill in several ways. Stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination can rob people labeled mentally ill of important life opportunities that are essential for achieving life goals.” Patrick Corrigan, Mental Health Advocate, said in that report.
As Bobcats, we must fight this stigma. Ohio University has done the work of creating a complex and well designed mental help apparatus; It’s on us to ensure that we support students getting the help they need.
You are not alone.
Matthew Geiger is a freshman studying economics at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Matthew? Tweet him @Mattg444.
