Earlier this year, President Bar­rack Obama designated Sept. 10 as national Suicide Prevention Day.

“On World Suicide Prevention Day, we reaffirm our belief that mental health is an essential part of overall health, and together, we re­new our commitment to supporting and empowering all Americans to seek the care they need,” according to whitehouse.gov.

Depression is a mental illness and a mental illness is a condition that impacts a person’s thinking, feeling or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis, as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Research has shown a link be­tween suicide and depression, with 90 percent of the people who die by suicide had an existing mental illness or substance abuse problem at the time of their death.

Untreated depression is the number one cause for sui­cide.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US but is the second leading cause of death in Nebraska.

Signs to look for when someone may commit suicide:

• Wanting to die or to kill oneself
• Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Feeling trapped or in unbear­able pain
• Thinks they are a burden to others
• Seeking revenge
• Change in behavior
• Heavy drinking
• Depression

To seek help you can call the 24 hour hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Students on campus can go talk to a licensed counselor at the coun­seling center located in room 103.