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MTSU SGA holds a vigil for students who died by suicide

MTSU SGA holds a vigil for students who died by suicide

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) community is mourning the loss of a student who died by suicide at the Walker Library on Monday.

“We’re taking it one day at a time because no one can really prepare for an incident like this,” said MTSU student body president Michai Mosby.

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According to MT Lambda, an LGBTQIA+ and student ally organization at MTSU, the student who died was Serenity Birdsong. Birdsong was vice president of MT Lambda.

“Serenity was more than an officer to us; many of us considered Serenity our friend, and her ability to light up a room, combined with her wholesome attitude, made her welcome everywhere, but especially in Lambda, where we are burdened by the darkness of existing in a world that is so often cruel to us and it is this darkness that has snuffed out the life of Serenity,” statement from the organization posted in part on social media.

Mental health professionals encouraged students to check in on each other and said acts of kindness can go a long way.

If you are considering self-harm, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255.

“The little things that we can do for people every day…Just be kind to someone, to everyone you meet, try not to spread the hate, try not to spread the ill will and the negativity,” said Nathan Miller, a spokesman by Volunteer behavioral health care system (VBHCS) in Murfreesboro.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the state’s suicide rate is increasing and rates are even higher in rural areas than in larger cities, according to a 2023 study. report.

VBHCS says crisis services are available 24/7 through the 9-8-8 telephone number, which can be answered within 60 seconds. They have also implemented their Crisis Stabilization Unit which can help adults with or without insurance.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Equality Project also shared a statement with News 2:

“We join the MTSU community in mourning as they mourn the loss of a student this week. In particular, our thoughts go out to MT Lambda, a student organization serving the LGBTQ community. The challenge for all of us is to ensure that people have the tools they need to find hope in their darkest moments so they can thrive. That can be difficult in a state where discrimination finds legal sanctions.”

The MTSU student association is planning a wake at 6 p.m. Wednesday in front of the Walker Library. MTSU President Sidney McPhee posted another letter to students, encouraging the community to join her at the vigil.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7 toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

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