Suicide is the second leading cause of death in college-age students. In a recent study, one in ten students admitted to having considered suicide.
My name is Conner Mertens. I am a sophomore at Willamette University and a placekicker for the Willamette Bearcats. Last year, I became the first active college football player, at any level, to publicly come out about my sexuality. Before doing this, I felt isolated by my secret. I had to constantly watch what I said and how I behaved, and endure the normal locker room culture that often included homophobic language and behavior.
In those moments of profound loneliness, I wanted help, but felt I needed to steer clear of anything that, at the time, I thought made me seem weak (therapists, school counselors, etc.) Had I known then about an anonymous, judgment-free hotline I could call to get the help I so desperately needed, I might not have felt that same self-loathing, isolation.
Still, I was lucky. When I finally decided to be true to myself and come out publicly, my coach, team and entire school rallied behind me. I finally had my depression under control. Unfortunately, many college students don’t get this relief, and too many of them choose a permanent solution to this temporary problem by taking their life.
That’s why I am asking two of America’s largest university systems, the University of California and California State University, to include suicide hotline numbers on their student IDs. Let’s make it a little easier for those in need to find help.
I now have a public platform to make change. News organizations like Fox Sports, SB Nation and USA Today have interviewed me, and I am so glad to be able to show others that it’s ok to be yourself. But I want to take it further.
By putting suicide hotline numbers on student IDs across the country, we can provide students a much-needed outlet for their struggles. Join me in asking the UC and CSU systems to set an example for the rest of America’s universities. Sign my petition asking them to put suicide hotlines on student IDs.
Please click link to read more.
Colleges are experiencing a growing number of suicides and crime. Many students do not feel they have anywhere to turn. This problem is everyone’s problem. This is not a job for our Government, they are to slow and these issues are urgent now. We have to get involved at the street level in our communities to identify the real issues. We work collectively to push for change. Grassroots efforts can effect change much quicker.
XO Melinda
Looking for the Light 
Reblogged this on The Daily Advocate By Painspeaks.
The fact that every kid has a “smart phone” isn’t smart. And if they don’t have one, their friends all do. My kid wasn’t allowed to play violent computer games, so he just went to his friend’s house when I was at work and played them. I used to think the key was to talk to your kids, but they will just say what they think you want to hear. Then I thought the problem was that we were talking TO them, not WITH them, but since they have their own agendas and know ours well….it’s an uphill battle, unless you’re willing to move off the grid and homeschool, which is what some of my friends actually did. But at some point there has to be college, and we have to prepare them for the unknown and the unforeseen, and what to do to avoid becoming a target for predators. It ain’t easy.
Since I don’t have children I’m the best mother. Why does a 9 yr old need a cell phone? Why would a parent let a kid close their bedroom door with a world of porn and 35 yr old men claiming their 17 and talking your kid into making a deadly decision. As the best parent, you have to set limits, know the friends, friends parents, phone numbers, no computer in bedroom and limited time at that. I would lock most sites and explain why. Then I would be a cyber expert to see where their going and surfing for. Parents need to focus on being good parents, not the kids best friend. Worst yet babysitter.
Being raised by my very strict old fashion grandparents, I could only close my door when undressing, no sleep overs, drive car only to school. My reward was a tiny 11″ B&W TV which I had few opportunities to watch.
What’s so funny, my gramps was a reader, sometimes reading 5-6 books a day. Granny and I would go to Goodwill and I’d rummage thru books. The good Harold Robins trashy stuff. My gramps would praise me annoying reading thick books like that would teach me patience. If he only knew. We had a rotary phone.
Good ole days, miss them so much.
M
Good ole days! I grew up poor. We rarely had a t.v., used only on sick days. I remember watching Johnny Weismuller being Tarzan, getting weirder and weirder as I hallucinated with 106 deg fever with the measles….never had a car till I was in college. I do believe a patent should be their kid’s friend. Mine wasn’t and I wouldn’t tell her anything, EVER, because I would get slammed for it. My dad was my friend, loved him forever, but he worked all the time. My mother the not-friend, whatever she said I would do the opposite because I knew she was trying to control me. She wasn’t an advocate, anything bad that happened was my own fault, to this day. I can’t wait for her to die a peaceful, natural death. I won’t be there holding her hand, like I was for my dad, whose last years she made into a nightmare, while all he did for her was good. How did I get off on this??? Anyway. Being a parent is a balancing act. Sometimes you have to be the meanie, but in all cases fair. Just like with animals, if you are a strong, fair leader, you’ll probably do all right, but no guarantees.
I carry a big stick! A good trash talker.
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so important to raise awareness. thank you~
WP is driving me crazy today. They must be working on system.
What is my on going fear is the internet. That is where the monsters are. They think it’s a 20 yr old boy and it’s a 50 yr old man. There is no good ending. All kids/young adults think they know everything, we all did. The predators are so savvy these days. Everyone thinks I’m old fashion when I say no computers in room, restrictions on sites, look at what searches are done. My granny would agree, taking pride her lesson’s got thru. Parents aren’t the kids friends and let a free for all everyday. I would love my child to much, it would not matter how mad it made them.
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M
Reblogged this on SURVIVORS BLOG HERE.