Most college students arrive at campus knowing few people at a time when they must also learn how to live on their own for the first time. For some, that can lead to depression--even suicide. That's why Western Michigan University's Lee Honors College is showing "The 'S' Word" documentary on Feb. 7.
The documentary, released last year, tells the stories of suicide survivors finding hope. On today's WestSouthwest show, we hear from Lisa Klein, the film's director (listen now: click icon above). She lost her father and brother to suicide. She says people more often than not know someone who committed suicide or know someone who knows a person who did, so she believes this film is for everyone.
"We want it to not be the 10th leading cause of death (in the United States), and the second leading cause of death for 10-to-24-year-olds," Klein tells Earlene McMichael on WestSouthwest.
A free screening of the 93-minute "The 'S' Word" documentary is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo, followed by a discussion with Klein.
It is the fifth event in a special mental health lecture series offered this spring by WMU's Lee Honors College.
The WestSouthwest news and public affairs show airs at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays on WMUK, the NPR station at Western Michigan University.
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RESOURCES:
- "The 'S' Word" website
- Gryphon Place - Kalamazoo, Mich., agency serving people in crisis (hotline: 269-381-4357)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - national group that provides 24/7, free & confidential support (hotline: 1-800-273-8255)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness - national association offers online list of 25 different helplines (NAMI hotline: 1-800-950-6264, M-F only, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ET). NOTE: Text NAMI to 741741 for free, 24/7 support from a trained crisis counselor.
