University officials, state lawmakers and a former college football star are trying to raise awareness about efforts to prevent campus suicides.
Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
A new law requires every state university to create a suicide prevention program.
Former Ohio State University Running Back Maurice Clarett joined other higher education and mental health leaders along with Republican Representative Marlene Anielski to talk about the importance of such programs. Clarett, who thought about attempting suicide by causing a shootout with police 10 years ago, said he didn’t get that kind of assistance until he went to prison.
“And it’s put my brain back into a healthy place. It’s put myself also into a vulnerable place where I can reach out and talk to people and sort of gave me a skill set to work through my problems and deal with the stressors that I have going on,” Clarett said.
Universities must have their programs in place by October of next year.
