Understanding Student Mortality at Georgia Southern University
This article examines student death statistics at Georgia Southern University, addressing both tragic accidents and individual cases while also outlining the university's postvention protocols.
A Tragic Loss: The I-16 Accident
Seven years ago, a devastating event shook the Georgia Southern University community. Five nursing students lost their lives in a car accident on I-16 caused by a distracted driver. Brittney McDaniel, one of the two survivors, recalls the horrific moment: "The last thing I remember was laughing and I looked down at my phone and that was it." The students were on their way to clinical training when the crash occurred.
McDaniel's injuries were severe; she was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a traumatic brain injury, requiring over a month of hospitalization. The physical wounds were compounded by the emotional trauma of survivor's guilt. "I just felt like I didn’t really want to celebrate my life when others were not able to make it," she explained. Unable to attend the funerals of her friends - Abbie, McKay, Morgan, Emily and Caitlyn - she later visited the site to say her goodbyes.
Despite the immense challenges, McDaniel returned to nursing school and graduated in 2016. She attributes her motivation to the memory of her classmates, stating, "My motivation was Abbie, McKay, Morgan, Emily and Caitlyn. You know…for them. I had to live that out." Today, Brittney McDaniel runs her own elective ultrasound studio in Statesboro and a party business. She continues to honor the memory of her friends by sending prayers to their families and hoping their names will live on forever.
The Death of Jordan Wiggins
In another tragic incident, on October 21, 2019, Jordan Wiggins, an 18-year-old Georgia Southern University student and football player, was found unresponsive in his dormitory room on Chandler Road. The Georgia Southern Police Department requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Wiggins was transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Preliminary investigations suggested no foul play. An autopsy was performed to determine the cause and manner of death, but the results were pending at the time of the report. The GBI conducted the investigation in collaboration with the Georgia Southern Police Department.
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Georgia Southern University's Postvention Plan
Recognizing the profound impact of student deaths, particularly those by suicide, Georgia Southern University has established a comprehensive postvention protocol. This plan aims to provide psychological support, crisis intervention, and other forms of assistance to those affected by a campus suicide.
Postvention is defined as provision of psychological support, crisis intervention, and other forms of assistance to those affected by a campus suicide. The postvention plan is a collaborative campus-wide effort to deploy a timely approach and response to trauma and grief reactions. This approach is best facilitated when pre- planned. The process of dealing with a campus death by suicide requires intentional timing, sensitivity, and thoroughness.
The plan emphasizes a collaborative, campus-wide effort to provide a timely and sensitive response to trauma and grief. It acknowledges that dealing with a campus death, especially by suicide, requires intentional timing, sensitivity, and thoroughness. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the potential for contagion and provide support to the grieving community.
Key Components of the Postvention Plan:
Immediate Response:
- Confirmation and Communication: Verify the death and communicate accurate information to relevant parties, including students, faculty, and staff.
- Crisis Support: Offer immediate counseling and support services to those directly affected, such as roommates, classmates, and close friends.
- Secure the Scene: Ensure the privacy and respect of the deceased's belongings and living space.
Ongoing Support:
- Counseling Services: Provide ongoing individual and group counseling sessions for students, faculty, and staff.
- Memorials and Commemoration: Facilitate appropriate memorial activities that honor the deceased while promoting healing and remembrance.
- Education and Awareness: Implement programs to raise awareness about mental health issues, suicide prevention, and available resources.
Collaboration and Coordination:
- Campus Partners: Foster collaboration between various campus departments, including counseling services, student affairs, residential life, and university police.
- Community Resources: Connect students and staff with external mental health professionals and support organizations.
- Family Communication: Maintain open communication with the deceased's family, providing support and respecting their wishes.
Prevention Efforts:
- Gatekeeper Training: Train faculty, staff, and students to recognize warning signs of suicidal ideation and how to refer individuals to appropriate resources.
- Mental Health Promotion: Implement campus-wide campaigns to promote mental health and well-being.
- Early Intervention: Identify and support students at risk through proactive outreach and intervention programs.
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