University of Louisville Magazine

Winter- Spring 2016

The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.

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W I N T E R / S P R I N G U O F L M A G A Z I N E | 4 3 A C R O S S C A M P U S Beyond stigma: Research aims to help suicide survivors, families Even the most well-inten- tioned relatives and friends may f nd it daunting to deal with someone who has contemplated or attempted suicide. The stigma often remains, and it can be dif- f cult to know how to help. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Kent School of Social Work assistant professor Laura Frey is researching the point where family processes and mental health intersect. Previous research has been focused more on who is suicidal and who survives. "We're now broadening it to 'How can we make it better afterward?'" she said. So how widespread is the problem? Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15–34 and is growing in middle-aged adults. "There are roughly 25 attempts that occur for each death by suicide," Frey said. "We can learn from this experience." She is working to see how people choose whom to tell when they are feeling suicidal and what that disclosure entails. A family member may be the f rst to recognize symptoms or f nd evidence of suicidal intentions, although people may be more likely to divulge their feelings to friends. "When an individual is feeling suicidal, (the person feels) alone, scared, isolated," she said. "It's not so much a desire to die, but to stop the pain." There are survivor groups for people bereaved by suicide, but not so much organized support for people who attempt it and survive. And even when people are treated for mental health issues, they often are returning to their family settings. "So," Frey asked, "how can you have conversations about this now?" That's where Frey and other researchers hope to make a difference. There are barriers — suicidal people often feel like a burden and their relatives may feel inadequate to the seriousness of their task. "They are going through a really hard time. It's our job to come in and help them. The more we can talk about it, the better," Frey said. "And the more people talk with others, the more likely it is they experience lower levels of depression later," she added. Frey advocates for examining the family's role in the experiences that lead up to the suicidal behavior. Also, families may offer strength to help the survivor afterward in the treatment process. "It's a brand-new area, so we're constantly trying to collect more data," Frey said. RAYMOND A. KENT SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Frey researches ways to help people who have considered suicide. Annual event honors nurses who have made a difference Community nurses who impact patient lives, improve health outcomes, elevate the profession of nursing and inspire others to consider nursing as a professional career were honored as part of the school's second annual Florence Nightingale Awards in November. The second annual event held at the Mellwood Arts Center recognized six winners and three honorable mention recipients, along with more than 90 other nominees. The six awardees include Brittany Combs, RN, BSN, a public health nurse at the Scott County Health Department in Indiana. Tracey Crawford, RN, BSN, CEN, NREMT, a certif ed emergency nurse in the emergency department (ED) at King's Daughters Medical Center (KDMC). Kathryn Mershon, RN, MSN, CNAA, FAAN, an instrumental founder of the nursing school at Galen College. Jennifer Sims, RN, APRN, a nurse practitioner at the Louisville VA Medical Center. Debbie Thomas, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, CMP, EdD, a psych mental health nurse and UofL School of Nursing faculty member. Freda Thompson, RN-BC, MSN, an education instructor at Baptist Health Paducah. The three honorable mentions are Lena Harrell, RN, BSN – Department of Public Health & Wellness, Louisville, Kentucky. Dori Livy, RN, BSN – Oldham County Health Department, Oldham Co., Kentucky. Ronnita Usher, APRN, DNP – VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky. SCHOOL OF NURSING LEFT TO RIGHT: Tracey Crawford, Kathryn Mershon, Deborah Thomas, Brittany Combs, Jennifer Sims, Freda Thompson

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