Every 16 minutes in the United States, someone takes his or her own life. In 2005, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Oregonians 10 to 24 years old, according to the Oregon Center for Health Statistics.
“It really is a big issue, especially one of those issues people aren’t the most quick to talk about,” said University sophomore Troy Sterner, an economics major.
Every term, Greek Life – Sterner is the Interfraternity Council’s vice president of education – organizes two campus-wide educational programs. Tonight in the EMU Ballroom, the Holden Leadership Center and University Greek Life are sponsoring “Tsunami: The Impact of Suicide,” an hour-long program led by psychologist Sally Spencer-Thomas, the director of leadership at Colorado’s Regis University.

“Suicide is clearly something that affects college students nationwide and something I think we could be much better educated upon,” said Interfraternity Council President Geoff Palachuk, a junior double majoring in sociology and philosophy. “It definitely needs to be brought to the forefront.”
During “Tsunami,” Spencer-Thomas, who said suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students nationwide, will focus on suicidal warning signs – such as isolation, new and increased substance abuse, veiled threats, and drastic changes in eating, sleeping and priorities – and debunking myths, such as the idea that suicidal people are violent and ready to snap.
“(Virginia Tech) is the case we always hear about because it’s so traumatic, but it’s incredibly rare,” said Spencer-Thomas in a phone interview from Denver. She added that a suicidal individual is far more likely to inflict harm on his or herself than on another person.
Spencer-Thomas will also share her personal story, which inspired the program’s name.
In December 2004, just before the massive Indian Ocean tsunami devastated much of Southeast Asia, her brother Carson, who had bipolar disorder, committed suicide.
“That was incredibly life changing. He was, by all accounts, the all-American man: successful entrepreneur, incredible athlete and mentor, great friend,” she said. “I call this program ‘Tsunami’ because what our family experienced after my brother died was very much like the response to the tsunami.”
Sterner said, “It kind of says a lot in the name: the impact of suicide and really getting people to see the effects suicide has on our community.”
After Carson’s death, his friends and family started the Carson J. Spencer Foundation. As part of the foundation, Spencer-Thomas has been raising awareness about suicide on college campuses since May 2005.
In raising awareness, Spencer-Thomas discusses “QPR,” an acronym for Question, Persuade, Refer.
“It’s the same idea CPR is – as a physical-basis crisis – and it gives people just enough skill that they can intervene and get the person the help they need.”
At “Tsunami,” the Counseling Center will have a table with literature. Following the event, the EMU’s Maple Room will be reserved for students interested in talking about suicide.
“The ultimate message is that I want people to think of themselves as lights of hope,” Spencer-Thomas said. “When people are depressed they just feel like they’re in a dark room and there’s no way out, just enshrouded by blackness. Sometimes it just takes a few people to reach out and say, ‘I will hold out hope for you, I see the beauty of your life.’”
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