“Suicide on Campus” focuses mainly upon unrealistic goals and the pressure to achieve those goals by family and friends will simultaneously experiencing the dark side of rejection. I do not intend to take away from this meaning, nor to gloss over society’s problems with the final decision, but I feel that it is necessary to look at the positive and those things that were done correctly to save Ms. DeWitt. As educators, friends and family members of others struggling with similar problems as Ms. DeWitt is essential to be observant, proactive, and diligent in our support of someone contemplating suicide. As the article eluded to, in many instances there are personal actions that should trigger the concerns of others. The roommate identified warning signs of the pending suicide attempt. She correctly approached Ms. DeWitt, and questioned her motives Though initially convinced of Ms. DeWitt’s denial, the roommate remained observant, and noting that the farewell letters have been pulled from the trash, did not hesitate in seeking professional assistance. The actions of the roommate proved successful in preventing a suicide. As educators, we may be faced with a similar situation and have a moral obligation to intervene. We also have an obligation to ourselves to seek professional counsel if we find ourselves experiencing depression or anxiety. Seeking help should not be a stigma, but instead be viewed as a means of self-improvement. As Jack has stated, the military has experienced a high level suicides. The culture attached a stigma to seeking mental health assistance. The stigma is being transformed and all members within that culture are encouraged to self-refer themselves. But to change the culture, the leadership must model the process. Every two weeks I spend a couple hours talking to my psychiatrist as a means to facilitate my recent change in career and too much time vacationing in the Middle East. Teachers possess the responsibility to protect their students, but also to protect themselves.
Author: rtbrown3
Introduction–I hope
If you are reading this then I (with Dr. Kaden’s help) have successfully accessed and posted on my first blog. As I think about it, this is probably the first blog that I have ever read.
My name is Richard Brown. I have recently retired from the Army after 25+ years. I decided to go into education, since my parents were secondary education teachers and I have a brother that is currently teaching history. Of course there are numerous secondary reasons, but teachers get upset if I mention them. For instance, I wanted to continue to be an asset to society, but physically hurt due to nature of the previous career. Much of my decision to retire and change jobs focused on the my inability to continue working in the Army. I guess I am just too old for it. I guess the right answer for teaching is “I love children,” or so I have been told. I cannot go that far, and am relegated to acknowledging my enjoyment in history and political science and my desire to help people mature and develop into an asset within their community.
I have some experience in education. I served as a Drill Sergeant and as an instructor at the Army’s Drill Sergeant School. I assisted in establishing and training the ICDC (Iraqi Civil Defense Corps), served as an imbedded advisor for an Iraqi Special Police Battalion, and the senior mentor for an Afghan Army Battalion and Police SRT. That being said, I hope and anticipate a better success within the secondary education realm.
I am married with one child. My wife is a product of World War II (not directly, but indirectly), being part Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and German. My son is currently in eight grade at North Pole Middle School. Being a product of the Northstar School District, he provides a unique insight into the classroom and student dynamics.
I have attempted to find some current pictures. The attached are a few of the most recent. They are not that recent, but all that I currently have. I should probably get some current pictures taken.
Upon completion of the MEd, I am scheduled to work on a Master in Eastern European Studies. Upon completion of this I will start back to work. YEAH!?!?!?
Growing up even prior to Blackboard, we had green chalkboards, the concept of blogging and this Apple are causing me some distress. I have already lost this post once, consequently, I will now stop and attempt to post it on the blog.
Richard