Johnson speaks with WLBZ about suicide prevention

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

April 21, 2017 UMaine in the News

Doug Johnson, director of the Counseling Center and Touchstone Resources at the University of Maine, spoke with WLBZ (Channel 2) for a report about how Orono police are working to prevent suicide. “The police force is definitely a protective factor in a community,” said Johnson, who added about 80 percent of those who take their own life never sought help. Johnson said combating suicide starts with asking the question: “Have you ever thought of taking your own life?” “It was a question that no one was comfortable asking primarily because they thought it would plant the idea in someone’s mind,” he said. “Well it doesn’t, and there’s research indicating that asking the question can lower the risk of suicide.”