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Alaska’s Youth Committing Suicide At Rates Triple That Of National AverageUAA highlighting suicide prevention efforts with exhibitRelated Content
ANCHORAGE—Alaska has one of the highest suicide rates, per capita, in the country. But experts say the issue of suicide among college students doesn’t get the attention it needs.
At the University of Alaska Anchorage campus there are no specific statistics on suicide, but officials say they lose one or two students every year.
Those numbers are part of the national figure—an estimated 1,100 students die from suicide on college campuses every year.
According to UAA behavioral health studies, Alaska’s suicide rate among young people is three times the national average.
A new exhibit at the UAA campus gallery is bringing those numbers home.
It’s called “Eleven Hundred Shirts” and it is literally a collection of 1,100 shirts that are laid out on the gallery floor. From a distance, they spell the word “hope.”
UAA counselor Anna Hindmen organized the exhibit. She says she wanted to give students a sense of the real lives lost behind the numbers.
“We throw facts at them often and we have stats that we give them about suicide and the rates of depression but I wanted a visual for them,” said Hindmen. “I wanted something that they could see and maybe with the visual, it could provide more impact.”
Since the exhibit opened a week ago, hundreds have come through and some of them have left notes. Along with the memories, there is also a common theme of regret; regret that someone didn’t do more to step in and help someone who was suffering.
At UAA’s Student Counseling Center, psychiatric nurse Georgia DeKeyser is not surprised.
“The thing I hear the most from people who have lost others to suicide is that they didn’t say something,” DeKeyser said. “They regret not speaking up.”
DeKeyser says at least 70 percent of college students do share their feelings with others, which is why it’s important to do something with information that causes concern.
She says the best approach is to be direct and tell the person you are worried about him or her, and then ask how you can help.
She says that could mean volunteering to take them to the counseling center or even the hospital.
DeKeyser says people should also look for changes in behavior for clues that something is wrong. The most important thing, she says, is to act on the feelings that you have and seek help, for yourself or someone you suspect may be suicidal.
If the situation is critical, she suggests you call the 24-hour crisis line at Anchorage Community Mental Health at (907) 563-3200.
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Rhett said on Monday, Sep 12 at 8:28 PM
Is the UAA Counselor "Anna Hindmen" or Anna Hinman?
73725233Midgardian said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 4:42 PM
@alaskan & AK soldier: You're really not helping to disprove what Dave said. If you don't want this state to come off as full of idiots, check your spelling.
73515884alaskan said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 2:05 PM
dave you are the one who is dumd and stupid your mom must have droped 1 too many x's on your when you were a baby Dah!!!
73509911Think about this..... said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 11:02 AM
If you don't like sking, hunting,fishing,long cold winters, isolation,darkness,no place to go...then stay out of ALASKA! We spent years there in the military.I did not like any of the above! We are in the Southwest,we travel, we see the sun daily,its the greatest thing we ever did, GET OUT OF ALA
73500732AK soldier said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 10:06 AM
Wow I can't believe mature some of you are on this post and sterotyping some people can be. The reason is that Alaska is high suicide rate is because people don't listen to others and some people don't know how to approach for help and also remember that most are homeless and we are at time of a foriegn warand Dave yes dave you are showing how intelligent you are, more likel not.
73498134Patty said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 9:41 AM
LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT- IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED IN ALASKA YOU WILL BE DEPRESSED ANYWHERE YOU GO. IF YOU WANT REAL HAPPINESS- FIND LOVE AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE- THAT IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS. AS FOR DAVE- YOU ARE TRULY AN IDIOT.
73496763Qanertua said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 9:04 AM
Yes, Alaska is depressing at times, but I live here for challenging of it. It's not an easy place like the lower 48 States. If you look around you, there's so much to do and keep busy. Life is a challenge.
73494629AK Lifer said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 8:45 AM
Our state's public health services (including behavioral health) are terrible. Millions of dollars are spent for what? We are rated the worst of so many things. Maybe if they got rid of all the old timers there and brought in some new blood they would be more effective. They could literally disappear and who would notice?
73493469Fia said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 6:03 AM
We have a high rate of suicide to the lower forty eight because the age group they are comparing are in gangs and don't commit suicide, but die in gangs related incidences. All the hokey surveys and percents are never close to right and saying so every few months doesn't change.
73485024ragnorok said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 1:41 AM
it is the permanent solution to a temporary problem, it hurts everyone involved. no easy answers on how to slow down the rates here in Alaska. lack of light during winter is hard on many even those acclimated to northern extremes. there is a similar problem in northern Europe and Scandinavian country's due to long winters and lack of sunlight. it can affect anyone even the mentally strong amongst us.
73476384Midgardian said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 12:55 AM
I really don't understand suicide. I hate to sound cliched and hokey, but it really is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Oh, and Dave? Go f^&% yourself!!
73475874Dave said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:50 PM
Thats because Alaska is so inbred. You'd be depressed if you were that ugly and dumb too!
73474702Yoooo said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 10:07 PM
Alaska is f'n depressing man!!! for real!!!I hunt and fish and snowmachine and have lived here all my life and STILL...depressing man...i
73474102tundra said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 9:45 PM
In our great state of Alaska, there is so much emphasis placed on being "Alaska Tough." People don't want to admit feeling suicidal because they see it as a weakness. As a student at UAA, I am aware that there are resources on campus for mental health issues but the only time you hear about them is when something tragic happens (like the death of a student) and the school reaches out to people via e-mail. I have also seen the odd flyer tacked up on hallway bulletin boards. I think counselors need to have more of a physical presence on campus, periodically set up tables in hallways and make their presence known to students, give them something small like a keychain or card in case they ever need to contact them for themselves or a classmate. Some of the foreign exchange students also struggle with acclimating to life in Alaska so it’s important they know that they are supported. If we students could see a friendly counselor’s face instead of an e-mail or flyer, it might help.
73473809jeff said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 8:35 PM
Good Answer
73472593statistics said on Tuesday, Sep 6 at 8:12 PM
that is because those that are raped and violated are ignored and told " it really didn't happen " or the local DA decidese it's not enough evidence...burn the evidence down.. and then that sparks reactions of death...but the State of Alaska doesn't care...really they don't...just ask them why we are #1 in the nation...on sexual assault and suicide... All that oil revenue makes us #1 in monies... Well spent hu Parnell...well spent...
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