By Lindsey Coblentz
Amanda Hill's father was dragged into the woods and shot in the back of the head, or so she was told 24 years ago.
"But things just didn't add up," said Hill, a graduate student in the University of Louisville's psychology program.
"[The police] never had a list of suspects, all the facts were misconstrued and they dropped the case."
When she was older, Hill became curious and contacted investigators to have the case re-opened. It didn't take long for investigators to discover that Hill's father had not been a victim of homicide.
He, in fact, had committed suicide. This is the main reason that Hill became involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
The AFSP funds research and survivor and awareness programs in order to prevent suicide and to help those who have been affected by suicide.
Hill is trying to reach others with her story and is concerned about bringing suicide awareness to college students, many of whom don't realize how big of an issue suicide is among their age group.
When asked how big of a problem suicide posed for college students, Ryan Dougherty, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said, "I believe it's a real problem, a problem that exists, but I don't think it's a very widespread problem."
However, according to the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.
In order to try to bring more suicide awareness to the U of L campus and its surrounding areas, Hill is promoting one of the main suicide awareness events in Kentucky.
The Out of the Darkness Walk is a five-kilometer walk which will take place in Louisville at Seneca Park on Nov. 3. Check-in time is 7:30 a.m.
This walk, which has been with the AFSP for three years, raises money for the foundation to help fund its cause. Participants can start a team or walk alone to raise money for the foundation. The money raised from the walk will be used locally and Hill hopes that some of it will go toward Question Persuade Refer Training.
According to Hill, this is the only research-based method that has proven to prevent suicide.
This training, which can be taken by anyone, shows different strategies that can be used to prevent suicide and to persuade someone to seek help. QPR Training could also help improve suicide awareness on campus.
"If other college students were aware of the types of behaviors and possibly what they could do to intervene and prevent someone from possibly even attempting suicide, then QPR Training would be beneficial," said Amanda.
Sarah Schneider, a junior communication major, said having a support group on campus for students who have been affected by suicide could also be advantageous.
In addition to the Counseling Center located between the SAC and the Houchens Building on campus, there is a group in Louisville called Survivors of Suicide.
This group meets twice a month, and is for helping anyone cope who has lost a relative or friend to suicide.
When it comes to preventing suicide, there are certain warning signs to recognize.
Some of these signs include threatening to hurt or kill themselves, talking or writing about death or suicide, increased substance use, withdrawing from friends and family and dramatic mood changes.
If students observe any of these warning signs, they can seek help by contacting the on-campus Counseling Center or a mental health professional.
Students can also call 1-800-273-TALK for a referral or information.
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