Did you know that in New Jersey suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 15-34 … or that on average, one person in NJ dies by suicide every 12 hours … or that suicide is the 13th leading cause of death overall in the state? Additionally, worldwide, the number of lives lost each year due to suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.
In order to help increase the awareness and prevention of suicide, Ocean County College’s Counseling Services and Student Health Advisory Council will co-sponsor two important events in September. Both events are held on the OCC Main Campus, College Drive, Toms River, NJ. Admission is free and open to the public.
On Friday, September 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a suicide awareness and prevention program “In Their Shoes” will be displayed on the OCC Campus Mall. (In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Jon and Judith Larson Student Center.) Representatives from Ocean Mental Health’s Crest Services will staff tables to distribute information about its services. “In Their Shoes” is a display of 234 pairs of shoes, representing the 234 New Jersey youths, ages 10 to 24, that died by suicide between 2009 and 2011. Attached to each pair of shoes are tags that illustrate the types of thoughts and feelings that weigh on the minds of young people who take their own lives. “In Their Shoes” was developed by Attitudes in Reverse (www.attitudesinreverse.org), a nonprofit organization started by Kurt and Tricia Baker after their son Kenny died by suicide in 2009.
A Suicide Prevention & Awareness Seminar, “The Truth about Suicide,” will be presented on Saturday, September 10 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gateway Auditorium; and Tuesday, September 13 and Thursday, September 22 at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. in the Jon and Judith Larson Student Center. “The Truth about Suicide” features a short video with a discussion to follow. Previous seminars have revealed that many students know someone who has either attempted or completed suicide.
For more information on these two events, call OCC’s Counseling Services at 732-255-0400, ext. 2945, or email counselingservices@ocean.edu.
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