Bethel Professor shares knowledge on suicide-prevention resources to Bethel community
Nick Zeimet presents his work and findings on helpful resources for suicide prevention.
By Allison Brodin
Nick Zeimet approaches a wooden podium next to the fiction section of the Bethel University Library. He looks out beaming at over thirty students and faculty who had settled into plastic blue chairs and randomly rearranged library seating that came to his presentation today. He fidgets with the pockets of his khaki dress pants and fixes the bottom of his untucked grey button-down as people finish filing in. Seven years of school, ten years of social work, and one year of teaching have prepared him for this presentation.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 10–34. Zeimet didn’t shy away from that fact. He was aware that nearly everyone, especially his social work students, will at some point know someone contemplating suicide or struggling with the thoughts themselves. He also realized not enough people knew about helpful resources for people who are struggling. This led him to the creation of his presentation.
“[My work is] potentially life-saving for people,” Zeimet said. “It can really give people a roadmap in a space or a situation where they’re feeling really overwhelmed or directionless.”
The people in the audience were on the edge of their seats the entire presentation. Not a single side conversation or whisper could be heard, their full attention was on Zeimet. One of these students was freshman Laura McVeigh.
“I came to this presentation because I know a lot of my friends struggle with mental health,“ McVeigh said. “Learning about the terminology regarding suicidal states and about resources available will help me at Bethel in the short term and hopefully into my future career.”
The audience was not only composed of students but alumni and faculty as well. Rhonda Gilbraith, the Associate Director of the Library and Collection Development Librarian, was one of the many faculty members in attendance.
“I appreciated how completely practical the presentation was,” said Gilbraith. “It was all about things you can actually do to help someone that you find [contemplating suicide] or in some cases how you can help yourself if you found yourself in a situation where you might be contemplating suicide.”
At the end of the presentation, the audience helped stack up chairs, gathered their things, and walked away with a new, potentially life-saving, tool for their futures.
