Stephanie Pisarek
Staff Reporter
It is the 11th leading cause of death to Americans, and the fourth for those under the age of 65, Tell said.
One of the main reasons that Tell believes those tendencies are that large for the military and veterans is because of their purpose.
When plans change due to injury, action of commanding officers, or returning home and finding they don’t have the same responsibility, appreciation or importance as before, their purpose becomes fogged.
“They go from having a clear purpose to a big void,” Tell said.
Prevention that can be done through non-professionals was a key point during Tell’s lecture.
One way is familiarizing individuals of the Operation S.A.V.E. program. It is considered the CPR of suicide, Tell said.
The signs for suicidal thoughts or tendencies provided include threatening to hurt or kill oneself, talking or writing about death, rage or anger, seeking revenge, recklessness, dramatic changes in mood, and increased substance abuse.
He also gave tips on how and when to ask. One should ask in response to something at the appropriate time, don’t ask as if expecting a ‘no’, remaining calm, and listen. By doing so an open conversation is created allowing validation of what the veteran is saying.
Encouraging treatment is the biggest step for a veteran needing help, Tell said. Anyone could help with this step.
“It can be very powerful when someone that they respect, someone that they trust, someone they think that actually has some common sense asks you [them] to do to it,” Tell said.
Along with describing the Operation S.A.V.E program, Tell listed four myths about suicide and explained them.
The first one he considered the biggest. The fear is asking someone if they are thinking of committing suicide would give them an idea to do so. This myth came from the idea that suicide is a taboo subject, Tell said.
He debunked this by giving the example of the Air Force. After seeing that suicide was a major concern, they implemented a program including monthly discussions on the subject. Because of this they saw a 30 percent decrease in suicides.
The second myth that some veterans will openly talk about it while others just do it. He said that before committing suicide, the person usually tells someone, though not giving specific details. It would be like they are saying goodbye.
“There is some evidence that veterans are more likely than other people are not tell anyone and do it,” Tell said.
The third myth is if someone wants to die there is nothing anyone can do about it.
“That’s probably true if they are 100 percent decided about it,” Tell said.
The desire to take their life varies. Those that are close to 100 percent have decided and may lie to others so that their plan continues, Tell said. However, if someone intervenes nine times out of 10 they have saved the person’s life.
The final myth that Tell discussed was someone won’t commit suicide because of their family, plans for vacation, verbal or written agreements, etc.
This is not true because once the decision is made their mind has “tunnel vision”, Tell said. When they have made the decision to commit suicide, the mind doesn’t think logically and comes up with reasons to follow through.
“Really the last thing they think about is following through with a promise made,” Tell said.
In order to combat this, the VA created the Safety Planning Program to help veterans.
Clinical social work psychotherapist for the Department of Veteran Affairs Joe Bertagnolli is who Tell refers to as “face of suicide prevention.”
Before the VA began implementing this plan, the patient made a promise with the psychologist they wouldn’t hurt themselves. It was not affective, Bertagnolli said.
A new extension for the suicide hot line has been created specifically for veterans or active servicemen in need of help.
Since the extension’s creation, there have been approximately 3,000 rescues. Located in New York, the veteran’s call center has at least five people on duty at all times.
All staff answering the phones are psychologists, counselors, social workers or psychiatric nurses. They have access to VA records to find out what doctor a caller has and what kind of medications they are taking.
The operators inform the VA in the caller’s respective area. The VA then contacts the caller within 24 hours to check up on the caller and possibly get an appointment scheduled.
Alpha Sigma Phi, Clark’s branch of Phi Theta Kappa society, will be putting together Thanksgiving baskets for students in need this holiday season.
This is the tenth year that ASP will organize and implement this plan.
Baskets contain a 10-12 lb turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, ingredients for green bean casserole, rolls and a pumpkin pie. These baskets are estimated to feed about six to eight people and cost $35 each.
Professor and adviser Deena Bisig of ASP, says that last year they gave out 150 baskets.
This year their goal is 200.
Bisig says that there are two different ways people can help. First, people are encouraged to help out monetarily – any donation large or small makes a difference. Second, ASP needs people to nominate currently enrolled students who might need a basket – students may also self-nominate.
To nominate a student, the public must provide the students name and phone number. This can be done through e-mail to Vice President of Service of Alpha Sigma Phi Rebecca Zeff at vpservice@clarkptk.com.
“Not only does this program provide a way for the community to support those who need it,” Zeff says, “But many of the people who receive a basket are touched, and give back to the community in turn.”
Students can donate starting now through Nov. 23. Donations can be brought to Bisig’s office at Hanna Hall 113 or mail stop in Foster Hall 222.
Each basket is purchased with private donations from private individuals – not government money.
“This project is supported by the graciousness of the Clark College faculty, staff and students,” Bisig says.
Loren Boyd is the current president of ASP. She is also the president of Phi Theta Kappa for the greater North West region including Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana, Canada and Alaska.
She says that she first became acquainted with ASP through the thanksgiving basket project three years ago.
Boyd says that during her first quarter at Clark she received a call letting her know that she had been nominated to receive a basket.
“I was blown away by this call, and as I let the person know that I would love to receive this basket I started to cry,” Boyd says. “I am a single mom of two children and at that time I was on the verge of being evicted from my apartment.”
Boyd says that she was questioning her decision to go back to school because of all the sacrifices that she and her children had to make. Boyd was near eviction and was feeling the pressures of being a full time student, parent and provider – especially with rent due, finals coming up and the expectations of the holidays.
“That call gave me the ray of hope that I needed to continue on my mission for an education and a better life for my family,” Boyd says about receiving a Thanksgiving basket. “After receiving the basket I was determined to find out more about Phi Theta Kappa and get involved.”
Bisig says that many students find themselves in the same position as Boyd did three years ago. Many students struggle through the holiday season and could use just a little help and a little hope.
“Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate the blessings we have in life,” Bisig says. “My blessing this holiday is the ability to coordinate this opportunity to feed our Clark College students, just in time for that last week of classes and finals.”
