Suicide is a tragedy that is becoming a large part of death in the United States, but there are ways it can be prevented.

Last week was National Suicide Prevention Week. NSPW is a national campaign that strives to educate people about suicide and suicide prevention.

The American Association of Suicidology sponsors NSPW. Each year NSPW has a specific focus and corresponding theme.

The focus this year was eliminating stigma associated with mental health disorders such as depression, the leading cause of suicide.

The theme was “Challenging Our Assumptions and Moving Forward Together.”

According to the American Association of Suicidology, as of 2010 suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

For young adults aged 15 to 24 it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide.

“Suicide affects everyone, not just the person committing it,” said Morgan Thompson, a freshman elementary education major. “I feel like if more people were aware of it, then maybe more suicides could be prevented.”

Many organizations throughout the country get involved with NSPW each year.

The most prominent of these groups for ULM students is suicide prevention and self-harm awareness group, To Write Love On Her Arms.

TWLOHA is aimed specifically toward adolescents and young adults, and often uses social media and popular music groups in its awareness efforts. TWLOHA releases its own slogan for NSPW each year. Their theme this year was “You Cannot Be Replaced.”

“It doesn’t matter how big or small your problem is. We want to help. We want to listen,” said Traci Clark, a counselor at ULM’s Counseling Center.

Counselor Russell Hollis believes that mental health should play an important part in overall wellness.

“Just like you try to be conscious of physical health, you have to be conscious of mental health,” Hollis said.

Both Clark and Hollis feel that it is important for all people to be aware of warning signs of suicide.

They believe teachers and students should be able to recognize predetermining factors and identify someone who it at risk.

The two encourage anyone who sees a person who might be at risk to contact the counseling center immediately so that the person can receive help. It just might be the phone call that saves someone’s life.

The ULM Counseling Center offers help to students through individual and group counseling, substance abuse recovery, academic counseling, help with study skills, and special needs programs. They also organize outreach programs for sexual assault, depression, binge drinking, addiction, and any other issues students might be facing.

It is open to all students, faculty, and staff.

Counselors meet with everyone from students in crisis to people who are just going through a difficult time.