Mikolaya Nynka Shares Advice on Suicide Prevention

Content Warning: This article includes discussion of suicidal ideation. 

Mikolaya Nynka, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and director of the Counseling Center at Centenary University, spoke with students in Newspaper Production Studio about suicide prevention on Thursday, Sept. 11 in the Lackland Center. The talk coincided with Suicide Prevention Awareness spotlighted on college campuses during the month of September. 

Nynka talked to students about the topic using facts from Suicide is Preventable to spread awareness, educate students on suicide, and provide ways to help those who are struggling. She provided statistics and facts about suicide, along with suggestions on what to do when you know someone who struggles with their mental health. Nynka focused on avoiding labels in mental health, watching for stigmatizing language, and not stereotyping people based on their mental health. For example, she mentioned using the term “took their own life” rather than “committed suicide.” 

“Words matter, “  said Nynka.

“How we use language; ‘she’s so crazy, he’s psycho, she’s so OCD.’ It’s very stigmatizing language. Individuals struggling with mental health are not going to feel comfortable in a community that uses such language, that stigmatizes such terms,” said Nynka.

Statistics are staggering. Nynka continued to share statistics based on 2022 reports, stating that over 49,000 people died by suicide, with 1 death every 11 minutes. It was the second leading cause of death in young people; 13.2 million people seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million made a plan, and 1.6 million attempted suicide. 

“Those are attempts that we know about,” Nynka said. “For every attempt that we know about, there are additional attempts that individuals may have taken that nobody will ever know about.” 

A recent survey focusing on college-age individuals in 2023 showed that 13% reported having thoughts of suicide in the past year, 6% reported a plan, 2% reported an attempt, and 26% reported non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Within the same report, 16% of college students reported having severe anxiety, 18% reported having moderate anxiety, and 34% reported having any anxiety. COVID-19 also created more anxiety among college students, as it was difficult to return to “normal” life after being isolated and quarantined for an extended period of time. 

“I can say this from the Counseling Center’s perspective, we saw lower rates of depression [after COVID] and more anxiety,” said Nynka. 

There are also risk factors that can increase the chances of a person having suicidal thoughts or developing a mental health disorder. These risks include relationship problems, a crisis in the past or upcoming two weeks, physical health problems, criminal legal problems, loss of housing, job or financial problems, and problematic substance use. 

“You may have risk factors; it doesn’t mean you are going to develop suicidal thoughts, or it doesn’t mean that you are going to develop depression,” said Nynka. “But certainly, these are risk factors that increase the chances for suicide.” 

Nynka also discussed protective factors, which the Counseling Center looks to build at Centenary. Protective factors include access to behavioural health care; connectedness to individuals, family, community, and social institutions; life skills including problem solving, coping, the ability to adapt to change, having self-esteem, and having a sense of purpose or meaning in life; cultural, religious, or personal beliefs that discourage suicide; and doing things that you enjoy. 

“What’s really important is to have hope and some goals for the future,” said Nynka. “Without that, it becomes harder and harder to stay motivated.” 

Nynka talked about critical warning signs for suicide. Some critical signs are threatening to hurt or kill oneself, or talking about it; making plans for suicide or looking for ways; talking, posting, or writing about death, dying or suicide; withdrawing from others; and saying goodbye or giving away belongings. Symptoms may include feeling hopeless, worthless, trapped, being in unbearable pain, or having a fear of being a burden. 

“Signs are things that you see. I can see you haven’t showered, I can see you look tired, and I can see that you’re late to class,” said Nynka. “Symptoms are what somebody experiences internally. So if somebody is feeling sad, I might be able to observe some things on your face that look like you are sad. But what you feel, those are your symptoms.” 

It is important to reach out to those you know who may struggle with a mental health disorder or suicidal ideations. Nynka explained how difficult that conversation can be, but it will in turn help the person struggling. She suggests giving observations to the person to show you care and that you noticed what they say and do. By doing this, they cannot deny the facts about what has been going on, such as changes in mood or behavior. 

“Studies have shown that if you ask somebody about suicide, it actually reduces the chance that they will attempt. It reduces the intensity of their thoughts,” said Nynka. “Typically people who are experiencing a suicidal crisis, it’s internal. So if we do that for each other, and you create a space where it’s okay to have them and it’s okay to talk about it, then that gesture of asking reduces the intensity of the thoughts.” 

Students in the Newspaper Production Studio class were asked to provide feedback on Nynka’s presentation, expressing what they would take away most from this discussion. 

“What I will take away from the presentation is how important it is to check on people, especially if someone is not talkative,” said student-journalist Victoria Autocunas. “It is very important to check on them to make sure they are okay. It made me want to check in on my friends a lot more and to take time to myself more when I am stressed and step back.”

“One takeaway I had from the presentation was about being direct, and the more direct and open you are is sending a message that you care and want to help. Being direct/talking about suicide does not actually increase anything happening,” said student-journalist Tyler Altmann. 

“Mikolaya Nynka’s presentation had so much to say when it comes to suicide prevention, and it was not just about how to notice signs of depression, or how to prevent suicide. She took the time to go in depth about what can cause people to think and gravitate towards taking their own life, how current events around the nation and world can also have immense effects, the different conditions people come from when it comes to risk factors that can relate to anyone,” said student-journalist Leo Watson. “This was not just a presentation where Nynka was going to stand up front and lecture the entire class, this was an opportunity for people to understand mental health and what people go through, so that they can understand the signs and utilize their words to help others struggling.”

At Centenary University, you can contact the Counseling Center if you are struggling with suicidal ideation, any mental health disorder, or would simply like to talk to someone. They can be reached at 908-852-1400 extension 2125, or via email at counselingcenter@centenaryuniversity.edu. Their hours are Monday-Friday 9a.m. to 5p.m., and they are located at 605 Grand Avenue, which is the yellow building across the street from campus. The Counseling Center offers walk-in hours daily from 12-1 p.m. 

If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal ideation or crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifelife via call or text message. You can also chat with the lifeline directly here.