Go back

ACCOUNTING CLASS ATTENDS SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING

Students in an accounting class at Defiance College attended an on-campus suicide prevention training, per the encouragement of their professor. Many going in were curious of the benefits, and soon realized the importance of the presentation to their careers. Megan Greene, a criminal justice and digital forensic science dual major, commented that the training would allow her to recognize possible warning signs and gave her knowledge how to help in a potentially bad situation.

"In the field of accounting, audits are conducted to confirm financial reports have no misstatements. A misstatement can be an error or intentional fraud," said Edwina Phillips, Professor of Practice of Accounting. She explained that there are numerous ways an alleged fraudster may react when discovered, the worst of these being the contemplation of suicide. "Being aware of the signs allows the student/professional to act and inform management. They also realize they are not responsible for the actions of others."

"Suicide prevention training is an important, life-saving measure in the accounting field," said Kaleb Westrick, an accounting major who attended the presentation. "As an accountant, one can encounter other people at some of the most stressful moments of their lives. An accountant could be investigating somebody for fraud, offering consultation to a business that is drastically insolvent, preparing taxes for someone who lost their spouse or child, etc. It is important to be able to identify these people who could be in a crisis and get them the help they need."

Another accounting major, Tanner Clingaman, noted that the training supports trying to protect all involved in an ethical manner. He said, "In terms of audits, your job is to protect the well-being of shareholders and the company, but you also want to be aware of your ethical duty to be aware of the perpetrator's health and well-being. By protecting everybody in both financial and mental perspectives, you, as an accountant, are fulfilling your ultimate duties."

Anthony Adamic, another criminal justice and digital forensic science dual major, stated that his field's objective is to prove innocence or guilt of a suspect through digital analysis. He continued: "When one is proven guilty of a crime, they are going to Big Boy Jail, which some people see as the end of the world. By having suicide prevention training, the guilty party can be talked to and given hope of returning to a healthy life after their time has been served."