An Ohio State University task force studying mental health and suicide on campus has made a list of recommendations.
Ohio State convened the task force after three people fell from campus garages in just over a year.
Two of those people died- one of them was ruled a suicide.
Among the changes made since those deaths: crisis hotline signage in every garage on campus.
The Task Force also recommends:
- Promoting "A Culture of Care" on campus, which includes faculty proactively reaching out to students.
- Enhanced suicide screening procedures.
- Creation of a "warm line" for students. Different from a hotline- a "warm line" is intended for non-emergency, peer-to-peer support.
"We have resources available, but the most heartbreaking thing is when students don't know those resources are at their fingertips," said OSU Student Government President Shamina Merchant. "And there's ways we continue to work to make sure that they are aware of those resources, and advancing the culture of care that we have on this campus to reduce stigma related to mental health. And make sure that we never have a situation where another student feels that they don't have somebody to turn to."
"We're all a part of this big family called the Ohio State University," said Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, OSU Senior VP for Student Life. "And as Buckeyes, we care very much for one another, and because we care about one another, we pay attention and we extend our support. and we extend our hand to one another."
Just Tuesday, an OSU died after falling from the Lane Avenue garage.
His death remains under investigation. You can read the full task force report by clicking here.
OSU Student Resources:
Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) by visiting ccs.osu.edu or calling 614-292-5766.
CCS is located on the 4th Floor of the Younkin Success Center and 10th Floor of Lincoln Tower.
You can reach an on call counselor when CCS is closed at 614-292-5766 and 24 hour emergency help is also available through the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.