NELA Children’s Coalition organizes “Women running away: signs of suicide”

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Representatives from the Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana came to the University of Louisiana Monroe on October 30 for a training titled “Women Run Away: Signs of Suicide.”

“I touch many students in many different ways, so I want to make sure I have the tools I need to make sure their mental health is a priority,” said Dr. Leigh Hersey, associate professor at ULM.

Dr. Hersey said she came to the training to learn how to support her students.

“I hope that I will be able to communicate better with our students, recognize those warning signs and make sure that I am available and communicating with them,” Dr. Hersey said.

During the training, faculty and staff learned how to recognize the signs of suicide and depression and how to deal with them when someone is struggling.

Dr. Hersey recalled one of the statements she made during training that stuck with her most.

“One of the instructors told us to talk to the students about how we would be in their shoes and how they would need help,” Dr. Hersey said.

Jan Daniels is the youth development coordinator at the Children’s Coalition, which also runs the Signs of Suicide program.

The team travels throughout the region to educate middle and high school students on the warning signs of suicide and what to look out for.

Daniels shared why it is so important to support students’ mental health.

“They may be away from home for the first time. They may be lonely. They may be suffering from the stress of upcoming midterms or finals, and we just want to make sure they know what to do and how to get the help they need,” Daniels said.

Dr. Hersey explained how she plans to open a line of communication with her students in the future.

“Make sure we have time in my office to discuss these issues and have these conversations,” Dr. Hersey said.

If you know someone struggling with this situation, please call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by dialing 988 or text “talk” to 741-741.

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