University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Why Kavanaugh cannot be appointed
ASM commemorates past on UW campus By Robyn Cawley COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR
GRAPHIC BY MAX HOMSTAD
September, Suicide Prevention Month, offers an opportunity to open dialogues about suicide on campus.
UW-Madison confronts student suicide rates By Grace Wallner FEATURES EDITOR
September marks Suicide Prevention Month, a time when one of the most complicated issues facing society is brought more clearly into the public perspective. Though suicide is often a taboo subject due to its heavy emotional charge, it is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Data shows someone dies by suicide every 12.8 minutes. For college students and people aged 15 to 24, however, suicide is the second leading cause of death. At UW-Madison, 9 percent of students reported having suicidal thoughts, and 1 percent of students reported a suicide attempt in the last year, according to the 2016 Healthy Minds Study. These percentages may be higher, since only 17 percent of the student body responded to the survey. Every person experiences life differently, so the various reasons for suicide cannot be enumerated. Nevertheless, common causes do exist, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Depression, an illness that is often undiagnosed or untreated, affects 25 million Americans, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair,” said UW-Madison Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Coordinator Valerie Donovan. She explained suicide proliferates because people are hesitant to reach out for help, so one of the best prevention strategies is for everyone on campus to look out for each other and have open conversations about mental health. In Wisconsin, suicide rates have increased by 25.8 percent from 1999 to 2016, a trend that is reflected nationwide. There are no definite reasons, only theories, for the ascending rates. For example, studies hypothesize the prevalence of social media has increased anxiety, which can sometimes lead to suicidal thinking. This is especially relevant to young people in the U.S., of whom 90 percent frequently use social media. The increase in past years could also be due to financial stress, perhaps stemming from the recession of 2008. For UW-Madison students, seeking help or talking about suicide can be extremely difficult. “It takes a lot of courage to reach out,” said Donovan. “UHS wants students to feel supported when
they do.” UHS offers on-call crisis counselors, who can be reached at any time at the UHS Crisis Line. Family and friends who are concerned about a loved one or acquaintance are welcome to call on behalf of someone. Family or friends of someone who appears to be thinking of suicide are often unclear about how to approach them to start a conversation, according to Donovan. Asking someone directly if they’re considering suicide does not increase the risk. She said showing direct concern in a caring way can decrease the likelihood that the person will go through with a suicide. If a person says they are considering suicide, you should first take the person seriously, stay with them and then call UHS and escort them to mental health services or the emergency room if necessary. UHS and other students organizations will host events throughout September. Help is available not only during Suicide Prevention Month, but year-round. “Ultimately, it is important to remember that suicide is preventable and that we all play a role in creating and sustaining a campus climate supportive of mental health,” Donovan said.
Wisconsin’s lawsuit against Obamacare may undo gains in young people’s health coverage By Andy Goldstein STATE NEWS EDITOR
As the fate of the Affordable Care Act rests in the hands of a federal court in Texas, some experts fear the law’s benefits to young people over the years could come undone. Earlier this year, Gov. Scott Walker approved a request by
Attorney General Brad Schimel to join 19 other states in a lawsuit declaring the landmark 2010 healthcare law unconstitutional. The central supporting provision of the ACA used to be the individual mandate, which was repealed by Congress late last year. The mandate acted as a penalty
tax on individuals without health insurance, encouraging healthy, mostly young people to buy coverage. Those funds would financially support the law’s protections of costlier patients, like those with preexisting conditions and of older age.
ACA page 3
The Associated Students of Madison found a home at UW-Madison in 1994. This year, they celebrate 25 years. But, for Student Services Finance Committee chair Jeremy Swanson, the number is only a promise of what is yet to come. “ASM has always encouraged forward progress at the University of WisconsinMadison. While certainly not always popular, we ensure that the student voice is heard by campus, by administration and by the state, and will continue to do so,” Swanson said. Beginning in the 1890s, a combination of the faculty, administration and Board of Regents made the decision to give students a more hands-on approach to student life and activities. In 1893, the Dean of Women created the Women’s Self-Government Association to allow female students the opportunity to govern within their community and as a way to “further in every way the spirit of unity among the women at the University.” Forty years later, WSGA and the Men’s Union Board joined House President’s Council to create the Wisconsin Student Association. Over a period of years and merging positions, the WSA adopted a 25-cent mandatory fee for all students in 1943. This was the first official step toward the current required segregated fees. After organizations were at risk of losing funds completely, the Dean of Students announced the necessity for a student government and ASM was created. “This creates a marketplace of ideas on campus and improves the intellectual and extracurricular environment for all students,” Swanson said. ASM is the collective mind behind every student bus pass and the services of StudentPrint. The Student Activity Center works as any epicenter for all things ASMrelated, while also providing a space for students to study and interact with their peers. They are built on the principle of being a grassroots organization, using their position as students to establish a presence in the administration. ASM has succeeded in fostering 24-hour libraries, increasing voter registration and making mandatory study days prior to exams. They resisted the opt-out of allocable segregated fees proposed by Gov. Scott Walker during the
biennial budget process. “We allocate these fees to help give students an educational experience outside of the classroom via services like the Wisconsin Union to financing their favorite student organization. This allows ASM to promote and enrich the university through the Wisconsin Idea,” Outreach Director Trask Crane said. Shifting into the 25th session provided Chair Billy Welsh with the opportunity to tackle a new role as he traveled from intern to leading the session. This session will mark his fourth and final. “Even though my responsibilities have changed, the underlying responsibility to represent and fight for the needs of students has defined everything I have done,” Welsh said. Looking forward to the upcoming year, the representatives are hopeful that they will foster positive change within the university. This will develop an opportunity for students to engage with their community and promote advocacy through their lifetime. “I know that we will make our campus a more civically engaged, sustainable and inclusive place this school year,” Welsh said. Although Welsh will be leaving ASM this year, he will look back at the work the organization has done with a bittersweet farewell. “I think that I will be incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities and skill development ASM has given me, and it makes me sad to think that one day I will not be involved in this incredibly good and important group,” Welsh said.
GRAPICH BY LAURA MAHONEY
The Associated Students of Madison greet the 25th session with a promising past and hopeful future, according to many of the current year’s representatives.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”