Students learn it is okay to not be okay

Shakell James
Staff Writer 

Jackson State University’s Latasha Norman Center hosted a suicide prevention presentation, “A Dose of Reality”, with keynote speaker Corsey Richaude Dorsey, on Oct. 12. Priscilla Marin, a sophomore social work major from Dallas, Texas, hosted the event.

Marin, who is known on campus as a majorette dancer, said there is so much more to her story than that. She opened up to the audience that many factors such as physical abuse, had a tremendous impact on her mental health. 

According to www.cdc.gov/suicide, many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk.

Marin said that she owns her dark past because it has allowed her to create her own story.  She also mentioned that she feels everyone in attendance should walk out with a new perspective on life. 

Dorsey began his presentation in a casket, explaining that although many believed he came from a model-family, looks can be deceiving because what he was dealing with at home was far worse than anyone could imagine. 

Because of this trauma, he said he began having dark moments very early in his childhood and even started pursuing drugs as early as the 5th grade. As the years progressed, he started experimenting with harder and stronger drugs.  

“By the time you realize you have a problem, it’s too late,” Dorsey said. 

He said his intrusive thoughts took control while he was studying at Alcorn State University. A voice in his head said, “The world would be a better place without you.” 

Beyond his own issues, Dorsey also created a habit of taking on secondary trauma by taking on other people’s problems in life, causing more stress on himself. Ultimately, with the help of family and friends who supported his journey to sobriety, he left the drugs alone. 

Data from the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics indicated that both the number and the rate of suicides in the United States increased 4 percent from 2020 to 2021, after two consecutive years of decline in 2019 and 2020.

More alarming CDC statics show that in 2020, an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted suicide.

In 2020, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.

There are approximately 9,633 enrolled at Jackson State University, meaning 10 percent of that portion has thought about committing suicide. 

Laila Woodfork, a junior biology/pre-medicine major from New Orleans, La., said she was thrown off by the original delivery of the presentation but she enjoyed it in the end because suicide is a topic that should not be taken lightly.

 “It caught me off guard with the introduction of him inside of a casket,” Woodfork said.

Dorsey said that society has to realize that sometimes everything does not work the specific way it’s planned and it took him two years to have a grasp on reality. 

“It’s okay to not be okay,” Dorsey said. 

For any students suffering with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, contact the Latasha Norman Center located in the Student Center, 2nd floor or call 601-979-0374.

Anyone in need of help can also call the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Hotline by dialing 988.