Bring Suicide Out of the Darkness at SUNY New Paltz

This club status will be used to coordinate between students at SUNY New Paltz who are interested in helping with the Out of the Darkness Campus Walks. Last year, we raised over $1,000. ----- www.afsp.org www.outofthedarkness.org ----- Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst COLLEGE students. It is estimated that an attempt is made every minute, with 34,000 lives taken each ear. Out of the Darkness walks raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The money is used for research about mood disorders and mental illness so that we may better understand signs and causes of suicide. Suicide can be prevented. While some incidences occur without any outward warning, most people who are suicidal do give warnings. Be aware of the signs of someone at risk. Take them seriously and always respond to them. Warning Signs: •Observable signs of serious depression: Unrelenting low mood, pessimism, hopelessness, desperation, anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension, withdrawal, sleep problems. •Increase alcohol and/or drug use •Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks •Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die •Making a plan: Giving away prized possessions, sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm, obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications •Unexpected rage or anger The emotional crises that usually precede suicide are often recognizable and treatable. Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had once been enjoyable. One can help prevent suicide through early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.