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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints struggling with thoughts of suicide or giving assistance to friends and families are now able to access the new “Preventing Suicide” webpage launched by the Church. “The fact that the church has put out a website about suicide shows that it is relevant to us and that we should learn more about it,” said Leilani Auna, director of the Counseling and Disability Services at BYU-Hawaii. Auna said she believes it’s important for young adults to understand the topic of suicide. “Some people may tell you to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret and young adults are unsure of how to act and how to help. So I think this is a great website by the Church,” said Auna.Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States and the seventh leading cause among men and boys, according to Deseret News. A person dies by suicide somewhere in the world every 40 seconds, and more than 800,000 people die by suicide every year, according to the Word Health Organization. Ephraim Insigne, an accounting freshman from the Philippines, said, “This webpage is like a prophetic counsel given by the Church to help us handle this sensitive situation. We don’t know who we can help with this information.”The new website provides information and resources for people struggling with suicidal thoughts, family and friends who are concerned about someone at risk and those who have lost someone to suicide, according to Mormonnewsroom.org. It also includes links to other websites listing warning signs and to crisis helplines around the world.“I’ve seen the website before, and it is cool because it shows the Church cares,” said Daniel LeBaron, a sophomore from Utah studying international cultural studies. He said the new website featured a video called “Sitting on the Bench: Thoughts on Suicide Prevention,” which helped him understand the kinds of thoughts that can lead to suicidal thoughts. He said the video also talks about how others can help someone find hope. “When we understand these kind of people, we will know how to help them,” said LeBaron.The new webpage was announced on Thursday, Sept. 8. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, September 2016 is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.A notice has been sent to church leaders to notify them of the new suicide prevention resources. More information can be found on preventingsuicide.lds.org.

Native Voices, a travelling exhibit currently at BYU-Hawaii, teaches students about native practices of healing in the past and in the present.The Native Voices-Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness, sponsored by the National Institute of Health, talks about the different ways the native people of Hawaii and the Americas have been using natural methods of healing. The exhibit showcases how they deal with illnesses and what it is like in today’s society where methods are being separated from tradition and culture.Zoia Falevai, one of the reference librarians at the Joseph F. Smith Library, was asked if the university would like to host the exhibit. She accepted the invitation because she was interested “to see the connection between wellness and illness in native life and if there are any similarities between the cultures.”She said it would also be beneficial for students writing research papers, including exercise sport science, Pacific Island studies, and Hawaiian studies majors.Kalaiakea Manoa, a sophomore from Laie studying hotel and travel management, said his immediate family has taken a few classes of la’au lapa’au, which are native Hawaiian healing practices. “Modern medicine has its uses, but it has better effects on the body when it comes straight from the land,” he said. He said he’s used natural medicine producing good results and would like to see more exhibits like this on campus. Manoa also said he encourages people to take time out of their day to see it. Tiyarra Roanhorse, a senior majoring in exercise sports science, and Ashkiiyah Harvey, a sophomore majoring in general studies, are both from the Navajo Nation. Along with their family members, both have used natural medicine for remedies. Harvey said her family uses more spiritual healing at home. She said she feels people need to be in the right mind set before they can help others.Roanhorse agreed with Harvey and said people should understand the traditional teaching and the difference between modern and traditional medicine.“We are losing some of that teaching because it should be passed from parents to children, but in some places that is not happening,” stated Roanhorse. Both agreed the exhibit would help explain the more cultural aspect, which will then explain the natural herbs and medicine they use.Harvey said, “I think there is a point where you can learn about the herb but it’s not going to show you the meaning that it has to our culture.” He said the significance of herbs could only be obtained through practical use.The exhibit is located in the Joseph F. Smith Library next to the information desk and will be there until Sept. 30.