Every 40 seconds someone in the world dies of suicide, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website.
Elena Yakunina, a Ball State counseling psychology Ph.D. student, said counselors will be available today to help those who want a safe place to talk.
Yakunina said she knows the difficulty in students coming forward to discuss grief or having suicidal thoughts.
"There is a lot of stigma attached to suicide." Yakunina said. "Processing emotional reaction, shame, grief and self-blame are just some of the emotions people experience."
Ball State Counseling Center staff will be available today from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Room 303, as part of the 13th annual International Survivors of Suicide Day.
A documentary titled "Day of Healing for Bereavement After Suicide" will be shown. The film is provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Yakunina said the purpose of the event is to create a community of support for students.
"The idea is to create a sense of connection for people who have lost someone through suicide," Yakunina said. "Finding a community for survivors is important."
Robin Lett, associate director for Clinical Services, said the center's event is open to the community, and this year the university decided to host the event on campus. Yakunina said last year's event was held at Kennedy Library in Muncie.
Lett said the Trauma Team is available to anyone in the Ball State community experiencing distress such as following the tragic death of a loved one.
"We do suicide prevention outreaches on campus and ask the question, 'Who has been affected by suicide?' and most hands go up," Lett said.
Lett said the Muncie community is not immune to suicide.
"Many students and people in the community have friends or family that have attempted or completed suicide," she said. "We see students at the Counseling Center dealing with a loss of a loved one who died by suicide and it is more complicated grief."
She said suicide is a big concern for college students.
"Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and the third cause of death among persons ages 15 to 24," Lett said. "It is the fourth leading cause of death among children ages 10 to 14 and the 11th leading cause of all deaths."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
