#ChangeTheNarrative St. Luke's.
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eptember is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and today is World Suicide Prevention Day. This day of commemoration is always held on September 10th of every year to show a worldwide commitment to preventing suicide since 2003. In 2024, the International Association for Suicide Prevention is committed to Change the Narrative, from a "culture of silence and lack of understanding to one of openness, empathy, and support."
Suicidal behavior is a complex, tragic problem with significant effects on individuals, their families, and the community. Whether due to mental illness, trauma, or isolation, there is no singular reason or event that leads to this.Some suicides are impulsive acts that come about in moments of crisis, yet, paradoxically, they are also very personal-like experiences that have specific motivations. Most suicides are wrapped in feelings of shame, which makes it difficult for people to seek help or to talk openly about those feelings. Survivors often regain the will to live after the crisis is over.
Suicide is an Alabama Problem
The Alabama Public Health website explains that suicidal thoughts are most often the result of a complex interplay of various risk factors and individual circumstances that culminate in a feeling of hopelessness and loss of vision for a future without the pain they may be experiencing. Major risk factors for suicidal behaviors include, but are not limited to: a history of depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental illness diagnoses; serious personal loss or several losses and defeats taken personally; low self-esteem and self-loathing; social isolation; believing there is no hope for feeling better, chronic alcohol or other drug use; or easy access to the means for dying, such as guns.
Suicide is a Mobile Problem
Suicide is a global crisis, but you may be surprised at its impact right here in Mobile, Alabama. I reached out to Betsy J Cagle, division director for Alabama Public Health, to send me some information about suicide statistics in Mobile. For over the last 22 years, there have been a total of 1266 suicides in Mobile County. The rates of these suicides go from 79.7% for females and 20.3% for males. Out of these statistics, a rate of 18.2% of them are white while the other rate is 7% are black and other.
Start the Conversation, Change the Narrative at St. Luke's
Mental health is a priority for St. Luke's, and the school continues to take steps toward addressing the ever-changing needs of its students. Did you know that St. Luke's employs counselors on both the Japonica and University Campuses? Mrs. Melissa Wallace and Mrs. Emily Cumpton serve our students and families with compassion and understanding.
This year, Mrs. Wallace took on the title of Upper School Counselor; in that role, her job description is somewhat different from years past. As an upper campus counselor, Mrs. Wallace is here to help any student through whatever issue it may be. The majority of her jobs seem to be about social and emotional advice, but Mrs. Wallace is equipped and capable of dealing with more severe issues such as situational depression and anxiety. It is in this regard that the increased influence of social media has added a fresh layer to the landscape, one which Mrs. Wallace is prepared to address.
With middle schoolers, Mrs. Wallace also handled issues related to the students' social problems and academic stressors. Many times, discussions were about how to help these children make better decisions or how to help children in crisis. As the children transitioned into high school, Mrs. Wallace observed elevated levels of social anxiety, generalized stress, and emotional stress. While many situations could be handled in-house, several circumstances required outside referrals during the school year, some of which were emergencies. Mrs. Wallace tried to keep the atmosphere non-judgmental, with an open-door policy where students could feel free to tell her their concerns. She also was quick to point out that while all other concerns shared by students would remain confidential, she is a mandatory reporter, and by law would need to report any concerns involving threats to self or others.
Melissa Wallace has devoted more than 25 years to counseling throughout her career. Her Bachelor's degree in Art Therapy led to the start of her career at Penelope House, a shelter for battered women and children. She then attended The University of South Alabama and later graduated with a Master's degree in Behavioral Science. Mrs. Wallace began counseling for families who had lost a loved one, as well as pediatric hospice services for Mercy Medical. She was there for 12 years before she moved to St. Vincent's Catholic School to become a school counselor. Mrs. Wallace has been the lower school counselor at St. Luke's for the past 14 years and 10 years ago moved to the upper campus to institute the Learning Lab - a program designed to help students with learning challenges such as dyslexia.
Emily Cumpton received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Spring Hill College and has a great deal of relevant experience for this new position. She came to St. Luke's after serving for five years as an Adolescent Case Manager and Department of Human Relations Liaison to the State of Alabama's Department of Human Resources and three years as an Adolescent Psychological Testing and Group Therapy Facilitator.
Mrs. Cumpton also took on the title of School Counselor for the Japonica Campus. Her diverse experience has equipped her to meet the many types of problems and issues that students may have. As a school counselor, Mrs. Cumpton will provide counseling, make the most of teachable moments to help students make better choices, and help students comprehend how their actions have affected others. She has researched a great character education curriculum that she plans to deliver once a week to the students. Importantly, Mrs. Cumpton is prepared for any crises that may occur.
Students will quickly realize that Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. Cumpton will not 'punish' them; rather, they want to help a student even when he/she makes a poor choice. Parents may email Mrs. Wallace and/or Mrs. Cumpton as one or both check messages day and night (mwallace@slesmobile.org; ecumpton@slesmobile.org). If you are feeling any issues that you feel like you cannot share with them or anyone else, dial 988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline.
