Jackson Free Press

A loved one taking his or her life is an image most of us never want to see. Sadly, 38,000 deaths in America are due to suicide each year, and 1,100 suicidal deaths are among college-aged people. Melinda Todd, coordinator for Crisis Prevention Resource Program at Jackson State University, is dedicated to combating those figures through education and mentorship.

“Suicide affects all youth, but some groups are at higher risk than others, which is why we work especially hard to educate everyone about the warning signs—what you can do, and what you should do to help prevent suicide attempts and completions,” she said.

Crisis Prevention Resource Project, funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is among 21 three-year projects at colleges and universities across the nation. Its primary purpose is to prevent suicide attempts and completions among the college community, which includes students, faculty, staff, administrators and parents. Jackson State University is one of only two historically black colleges in the nation to provide the program.

Originally from Jackson, Melinda always knew she’d be in a position to help, nurture, and educate people in Jackson.

“I knew that I would be in position to heal others, and it feels so good to do exactly that in a city I love,” she said.

Todd has been in the prevention sector of public health for 17 years, though she took some time off to be a mom to her two now teen-aged children. Throughout her career, she has worked to prevent teens from using drugs, drinking and having premarital sex.

“Too many of our kids are influenced to do things that could negatively change their lives and steer them down the wrong path, and also affect society in the long run,” she said.

Todd enjoys being able to reach out to young people and teaching them that life is worth living. She formerly worked as a middle-school drug-prevention coordinator for Jackson Public Schools and as a program manager with the Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition at Jackson State University.

“I spent my life preventing others from going down the wrong path, and it was well worth it," she said. "This is what I love to do.”

As a mother of two, Todd understands the frustrations that come along with being young and impressionable, which is why she works so passionately to ensure the every child reaches their full potential.

She hopes to leave a legacy that inspires and educates young people to move forward even when times gets hard.

“I want young people to set their own destiny, and I hope that we, as a community of people, share and teach each other,” she said. “… Mentoring is what our young people need, along with education and preventative guidance.”

Todd is a graduate of Mississippi College with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She received a master's in public health from Jackson State University and is a doctoral student in the JSU public-health program.

For more information about the CPR program at Jackson State, email Todd at [email protected]. If you need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) for free 24-hour assistance.