Lack of Mental Healthcare for College Students in the Ozarks

Intisar Faulkner, Ozarks News Brief

SPRINGFIELD-“She must’ve been hiding something which is the most heartbreaking part because everyone was so shocked and I think that’s how it happens every time.” said Missouri State student, Kathryn Eustler who lost her friend to suicide in 2015.

Suicidal thoughts and attempts are higher among college students aged 18 to 25 according to a study done by Emory University. And most people don’t know what to do when it comes to suicide prevention.

“Honestly, I didn’t believe it was suicide. I thought someone had killed her and framed it as suicide because I was like, She would never do that! She would never do that!’” says Eustler.

In recent days the news of Missouri State’s freshman golfer Sam Holmes death has spread throughout the Ozarks. Making those wonder why they didn’t see signs. According to Eustler, there weren’t signs of her friend being depressed.

Eustler explained, “If someone would have asked me, ‘Who do you think is more emotionally healthy?’ I definitely would have said her, not me.”

At Lost and Found Grief Center, they say there is a lack of mental healthcare for students who are in college.

“I think the risk increases for kids as they go to college because they’re away from that good support group from home and parents,” says Director of Development at Lost and Found Karen Scott.

One in ten college students has made a plan for suicide. And of those, 80 percent are male. Scott says however one of the most basic things to prevent suicide? Sit down with family, and talk about it.

She says bringing it up won’t plant a seed for someone to want to do it, “It’s just one of those teachable moments in life,” says Scott.

The national data on suicide and depression shows that nearly 4,000 people die from taking their own life each year, with another 1,500 attempting it.

If you or someone you know is battling with depression or suicide seek help and reach out to those effected by such types of loss.