National Suicide Prevention and Awareness

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month, and Liberty University’s Student Counseling Services cares for students through treatment options including regular assessments, various types of counseling and long-term care.

The office is located just past the Commuter Student Lounge in Green Hall. It welcomes students, faculty and staff with a selection of tea, coffee and coloring books in the waiting area.

John Toliver, a resident counselor, says some students think the office only offers individual counseling. While each counselor can take up to 26 one-on-one clients, many students join groups. These groups start frequently and cover topics including grief, anxiety and eating disorders.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experiences mental illness each year. The Center for Disease Control and Preventionsays suicide is the second leading cause of death for college age students.

Many people are nervous about speaking to a struggling friend.

“I think noticing is easy; I think addressing is hard,” Toliver said. “If I broach that topic, I’m going to inadvertently cause something. Maybe if I just stay quiet things will resolve on their own. In fact, that is where we get into trouble.”

Instead, he said friends should ask hard questions with a spirit of understanding and a desire for healing.

“The best thing we can do is hold a conversation about it,” Toliver said. People tend to be honest about it as well. Most people are shocked by the fact that someone has noticed.”

2 comments

  • “The best thing we can do is hold a conversation about it,”

    In agreement.

    Tonya Jenkins
    (L22808420)

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