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Suicide prevention, awareness coalition to support walk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 25- to 34-year-olds, the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds and the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans. Every 18 minutes a person dies by suicide, which claims more than 33,000 lives each year.

The major causes of suicide are undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions, trauma, drugs and alcohol abuse and dependence. The risk for teenagers is higher because they are prone to acting impulsively under severe stress. Examples of stressors that often trigger teens are relationship problems, difficulties in school and pressure from parents.

MUSC Level One Trauma Center is hosting a Walk to Prevent Suicide as a part of Out of the Darkness Community Walks. The walks are 1- to 5-mile walks taking place in more than 200 communities across the country this fall, with the proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Participating in this event will help raise money for research and education programs to prevent suicide, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, advocate for mental health issues and assist survivors of suicide loss. The walk is being held at 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Hampton Park. Registration is from 1 to 1:30  p.m. To register or donate, visit http://www.outofthedarkness.org and under “team” type MUSC Level One Trauma Center.
  
The committee supporting this walk is working to form a suicide prevention and awareness coalition with a group of survivors of suicide and a multi-disciplinary team from the MUSC community and outside organizations. This group, headed by Martina Mueller, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Nursing meets at 5:15 p.m. every three to four weeks on Tuesdays in Room 211 of the College of Nursing. For the next meeting, contact Mueller at muellerm@musc.edu or powe@musc.edu. General information on suicide prevention also is available at http://www.afsp.org or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-Talk (8255). Locally the 211 hotline is available 24 hours a day for supportive services: 800-922-2283 or for teens 747-teen.

Health1st events
  • Wellness Wednesday: MUSC Level One Trauma Center and Safe Kids Trident Area will be available form 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 13 in the university hospital near Starbucks to discuss pedestrian safety.
  • Introduction to Pilates: A free Pilates class will be held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Oct. 12 at the MUSC Wellness Center. Participants will also receive a free one-day pass to the Wellness Center.  E-mail barneslr@musc.edu or call 792-4471 to register.
  • Worksite screening: A screening will be held Oct. 21 in room 524 at the College of Nursing. The screening is $15 with the State Health Plan. Register at http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/health1st.

Friday, Oct. 15, 2010


The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.