Best ways to prevent suicide

According to the New Mexico Department of Health, “Suicide was the 8th leading cause of death among New Mexico residents and the second leading cause of death by age group for NM residents 10-49 years.” Suicide is associated with having mental illness and/or substance use diagnosis, psychosocial trauma or conflict, recent loss, family history of suicide and personal history of suicide attempt. This is a major issue in our community, that it has come to a point where those under the age of 13 are taking their own lives.

Suicide has impacted everyone in some way during their life. There is a way we can prevent this from happening more than it should happen in our community. Yes, we are doing something to help this issue, and I had done some research from local high schools and mental health centers here in Las Cruces in search of the best way to decrease the numbers of people who have committed suicide.

The best ways to help suicide is by communication, connectiveness, and using direct approach to confront the person. These strategies incorporate all levels of education that can help prevent suicide. Just by asking if the individual is OK, and reaching out to them even when they say “no” or “I don’t need help,” shows that individual that you truly are worried for them. Tell a parent, coworker, coach, councilor, or friend that you’re worried for that someone, and also take every “dark sense of humor” joke seriously. Every little action can help.

Suicidal Hotline (1-800-273-8255)

Destiny Gonzales

Las Cruces

Living on campus increases expenses

As a freshman at NMSU, I am required to live on campus for my first year; like many other universities across the nation that are now requiring it for freshman. This may seem like an easy efficient solution for freshman to be close, but what most people don’t see is the problems like cost and other expenses that are not mentioned. One of those expenses is paying for washing and drying machines in the dormitories.

If the expense of housing does not include something as simple, but expensive as, washing our own clothes, then how does that make living on campus more efficient? The average student does anywhere from two to four loads per week. This means they spend an average of $120 a semester, $240 a year. The cost of living for freshman on campus, with a meal plan (which is also required for freshman), runs up to $9,000; this cost does not include the extra expenses like washing and drying machines. In Las Cruces, a student can share a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate for about $4,000 a school year, pay for groceries and still pay less than an on-campus freshman.

In conclusion, the cost of living for freshman can be stressful for those who are struggling financially and paying for washing and drying their clothes only adds more. Free washing and drying machines are a small change to make a big difference in the cost of living for freshman. Advocating for free washing and drying machines to make it easier on freshman can make a big difference in the amount of financial stress for students. It needs to be put into consideration the effect of not being able to wash the own clothes on our back.

Mary Thuerauf

Las Cruces

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