Did you know that according to Emory University, suicide is the number two cause of death amongst college students? And that each year there are over 1,000 suicide deaths on college campuses? Did you know that on average, one in ten college students has made plans to commit suicide? Did you know, that in the state of NJ, prior to August 1, there was no requirement to have 24 hour help on a college campus for those at risk of suicide?
Well, that just changed.
On August 1, Governor Chris Christie signed the Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act.
What is this?
This law requires schools of higher education in NJ to have someone trained in suicide prevention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This person, who is trained to focus on reducing and preventing student suicides, will not only aid students but work with staff to learn warning signs and risk factors associated with student suicide. Further, this bill requires that institutions notify students at the latest, 15 days after the start of semester, of the availability and contact information of this trained counselor.
What does this mean?
It means society has begun to fight back. And it means, that for so many suffering college students, there is now help out of the darkness when they need it.
Suicide is a terrible tragedy, that when completed, leaves shockwaves throughout a community, and at times a nation. This can be seen in the far too early death of Madison Holleran. Madison was a talented athlete, student, and even more than that, an incredible person. Her death left a community and a nation stunned, and questioning how this could have happened to someone who seemed to shine light and happiness in to all that she did. A UPenn athlete and student, Madison took her life in Philadelphia on January 17, 2014.
While this tragedy could have been left to simply be mourned by all who knew Madison and had the chance to have her cross in to their life, a decision to fight back was made instead, and a choice to find a way to help others has now left us with this “lifesaving bill”. Spearheaded by the family of Madison, and Senator Kevin O’Toole, this bill now opens a door for those suffering to find help in the darkest hour, and will inevitably save countless lives, and countless heartaches.
We can’t bring Madison back, but the impact she left on this world during her short life in undeniable. A kind soul who gave to all that she knew, this bill is a clear representation of her huge heart.
Society has begun to stand up, and is beginning to put an end to the stigma that has so long stopped those who need it from getting help. But our journey is far from over. This bill has changed the picture for NJ, but it is now our time, as a nation to stand up and get this passed as a national law.
All institutions should have 24 hour help available to students who are feeling trapped and believe that suicide is the way out. It is time for us to make the same brave and courageous choice that the Holleran family made after tragedy: it is time to speak up and out against suicide in young adults, and it is time to help those struggling have a way out.
If you are hurting, speak up. If you know someone who is struggling, say something. There is no shame in hurting and there is no weakness in saying I need help. We all need help sometimes, and there is nothing wrong with that.
So speak up, and speak out, and let’s let our nation know that this bill being passed only in the state of NJ is a great start, but it is not enough. We need more, and our students deserve more.
To the Holleran family, thank you for your bravery, for your strength, and for working endlessly to save countless lives. To Senator O’Toole, thank you for backing such an important piece of legislature and making sure that the good fight was fought and won. And to Governor Christie, thank you for giving our students the chance to get the help they may need and to find a way out of a terrible darkness.
But now, our nation needs to see the same battle, and continue to fight this good fight. The Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act is a piece of legislature that should be signed at our highest level, and should allow students across the nation the same access to help that the students of NJ will now have access to.
Suicide is death that comes far to early, and can be prevented, but only if there is an available way out. Hundreds of thousands of students in NJ will now have that help available, but now lets make it millions of students in the US.
The Madison Holleran story is now not one of only tragedy but with the passing of this bill is one of triumph as well.
Keep shining down Madison, you are truly missed, but your smile continues to shine bright and give light to those who need it.
