Suicide is a tough subject but the #2 cause of death on college campuses. In fact I wish I had some magic tricks for the college crowd. A friend of mine suggested eating fire. I thought that posed risk of burning my hair and maybe I’d rather be sawed in half. But that would require talent above my pay grade.
Today at Virginia State University, I told my story about Charles, shared my grief journey, and then we talked about coping strategies. For this we used post it notes and a white board. And for the healthy and unhealthy coping strategies, we used technology and the students entered their strategies on their phones.
A couple of questions on suicide.
At the end, I handed out two index cards.
One they needed to keep and on that I asked them to write two coping strategies they might use when things become stressful.
Two was one they’d leave me. I asked them to share a learning outcome.
I love that you did this talk at VSU. College students everywhere need to hear what you have to say and feel connected. It can be such an alienating time in life…
It is an audience I need to “thaw out.” Some are receptive right away. Some take longer. And I remember college. For me, first semester was tough.
Anne Moss, you’re doing such great, life-changing work. Thank you.
I need a magic trick though. Thawing people out is tough.