suicide prevention

A lawn near the Rayburn Student Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce is expected to be covered with a large number of backpacks on Monday, March 11, which are displayed to share the stories of those who’ve lost loved ones to suicide.  

Texas A&M University-Commerce is required by mandate to distribute certain crisis hotline numbers to all students, faculty, and staff as a matter of course. Title IX Coordinator Nathan Perry, who works in the university's Office of Compliance, suggests there may be another way to make sure these vital contacts aren't filed away and forgotten.

Are you thinking about committing suicide?

Dr. Sejal Mehta, a Plano-based psychiatrist, says that sometimes a direct question like this is best when talking to patients who might be having dangerous thoughts.

"It’s OK to ask questions point blank about suicide," says Dr. Mehta." And that’s what the medical community needs to be comfortable with."

Does the country life appeal to you? You’re not alone.

Except that you might quickly become so.