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| Public Affairs - Press Release | |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 26, 2004 Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins (662) 329-7124 MUW to raise awareness of suicide during Suicide Prevention Week COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women will do its part next month to raise awareness of suicide during Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 5-11. MUW’s program titled “Working Together to Save Lives” will be held Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 10. Purple and turquoise ribbons will be distributed on campus to convey the message that suicide affects all mankind and to let the world know that it can be prevented, according to Linda Halbert, MUW director of counseling and testing. “Programming efforts will focus on warning signs among persons who might be suicidal and what to do if someone is threatening suicide,” she said. Halbert, who is an expert in the areas of suicide assessment and intervention, said suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds. She added that Mississippi ranks 11th in the nation for its suicide rate, and suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States with one suicide occurring on average every 17 minutes. Other facts provided by Halbert: • It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 suicides on college campuses per year. • One in 12 college students have made a suicide plan. • 765,000 Americans attempt suicide each year. • Five million Americans have attempted to kill themselves. • Every year in the United States, more than 16,000 men and women kill themselves with a gun. That's two-thirds more than those who use a gun to kill another. MUW’s Counseling Center offers free and confidential services to MUW students. For more information, call 329-7349. |
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