Jordan Burnham, who lived after jumping from a high-rise in 2007, visited campus on Feb. 17, 2016, to hold an open conversation about the stigmas of mental illness and how to support people in emotional distress.
By Brittany Barker ‘19
A nationally recognized speaker on the topic of suicide visited campus Wednesday to share stories with his audience of mental illnesses that a decade ago led him to jump from a ninth-story window in an attempt at ending his own life.
Jordan Burnham, whose talk focused on the stigmas of mental illness and ways to foster positive dialogue about such conditions, was invited to speak by an Elon University senior who coordinated the visit as part of a senior capstone project.
Burnham had shown signs of having a mental illness during his middle school years following his transition from private to public schooling, but it was during his senior year that Burnham spent time in a mental hospital.
“When I was 16, I was diagnosed with depression,” Burnham said. “I jumped from my nine-story bedroom window. September 8, 2007. I don’t remember going out the window.”
Burnham offered advice to those in attendance who may see signs of emotional or mental distress in their friends or classmates.
“Ask people, ‘how are you feeling?’” said Burnham. “People say, ‘how are you doing?’ and they get a one word response. ‘How are you feeling?’ gets more than just one word and shows that you are willing to listen.”
Burnham is a nationally recognized mental health advocate who was one of the “2010 Best of Philly” and received the 2012 Emerging Humanitarian Award winner from the Asomugha Foundation. He has been featured in The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today, and he has appeared on ESPN’s E:60 and Outside the Lines, CNN, Dr. Phil, and Good Morning America.
His interview with ESPN became an Emmy-nominated documentary, and he has spoken at the White House and before Congress.
Mental illness impacts thousands of people, and suicide takes the lives of 1,100 college students per year, which led Elon senior Jeremy Recoon to organize for his senior capstone project as a sport & event management major. Recoon secured nearly a dozen co-sponsors for the program.
“We only talk about mental health issues and suicide after something awful happens or after a tragedy happens,” he said. “Talking openly about mental health issues could really help someone.”
Elon University students experiencing a counseling emergency that is life threatening or involves imminent danger (risk of harm to self or others) should call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
The university’s Counseling Services responds to crisis situations with prompt intervention and stabilization support. A counselor is on call for student crises, after hours and on weekends. This on-call counselor can be reached through Campus Safety & Police by calling (336) 278-5555.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is another avenue of support. Anyone who calls 1-800-273-TALK will be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in his or her area.