My encounters with suicide information have always been accidental or through deliberate efforts to search for data. In my educational journey, I do not remember a time when evidence on suicide prevention was provided for students to access. The accidental encounters involved reading through books, particularly of Judas and Samson in the Bible, and novels and short stories, such as Chicken Soup for the Soul. I did not perceive the information as I do today because I never understood its importance and meaning. In the past five years, I have seen and heard several cases of suicide through the media, personal confessions, and interaction with literature (NSU, 2013). I still believe that there is an insufficient effort by authorities to provide information on suicide prevention although many Americans die every year through the act, making suicide one of the leading causes of death.
More information is not shared with Americans for several reasons. The stigmatization of suicidal acts or signs discourages potential victims from seeking or accessing information because they fear being judged. Self-annihilation is linked to some of the oldest and most profitable industries, including guns and alcohol. Focusing on guns and alcohol while addressing the problem is a threat to businesses. Therefore, there are efforts to prevent more Americans from accessing information due to the benefits of guns and alcohol producers. Some people cannot get evidence because authorities disregard suicidal cases (NSU, 2013). Prevention programs involve various stakeholders within communities, and authorities are well-positioned to enhance collaboration between different interested parties.
After watching the video, there are several key lessons from Dr. Poland and Dr. Flemons. Talking about suicide within the school environment is as important as the monthly fire drills. With students and teachers being increasingly under pressure, they should be trained in detecting and understanding signs of suicide among peers. Moreover, schools should provide a safe environment where students report any suspected cases of suicide (NSU, 2013). The effective way of implementing best practices for prevention involves developing and disseminating literature.
Reference
NSU. (2013). Schools and suicide prevention. YouTube. Web.