Allow me to paint you a picture:  there is a headshot of a distressed man. He’s wearing a suit and tie. His entire head is tilted to the side, his brow is rather furrowed and his mouth agape. Intensely squinted eyes gaze back. If this were the entire picture, I may draw a few varied conclusions: he’s worried for an upcoming business presentation, he did something his boss is going to be unhappy with…perhaps he even has heartburn.

Let me add an element to the picture. He is not only wearing a tie but he’s touching it. And more than touching it, the tie happens to be the most prominent element of the photo. Pulled up along the side of his face, his tie is clutched tightly in his grasp. Hand held over head, gripping his tie in semblance of an uncertain strangling, this man stares off the page in a silent, yet poignant plea for help.   

Where is this photo located?  Where can you find this self-induced restrained individual? The Northern Iowan: “The University of Northern Iowa’s Student Produced Newspaper Since 1892.” To what end does this desperate appeal source? An advertisement. An advertisement for none other than the Northern Iowan itself.  

I wish I could tell you the words accompanying this unsightly photo were of any significance. Meant to act as some  relatively distorted form of encouragement to seek help from mental health professionals…. But it isn’t.  

As some method of sardonic advertisement, the words “We need you to help us!!” are capitalized across the top. It is further accompanied by the description: “The Northern Iowan is now accepting applications for ad sales position. No experience necessary.  Should have interest in sales. Great resume builder and will gain work experience in sales. Applications can be picked up in the Northern Iowan office (lower level of the Maucker Union). The Northern Iowan is looking for staff writers!  Find out what’s going on around campus!  Write general Campus Life and News stories, build your resume, meet new people, gain better writing skills and so much more!  Email Executive Editor Amber Rouse at [email protected].” 

In one of the most distasteful marketing strategies I have bourne witness to, the insinuation is the act of killing oneself intentionally. What does this say about paper? That it is under so much pressure the only possible option is that of deliberate death? That the other ad salesmen are so burdened they need rescued because they have begun the unthinkable act of hanging themselves?        

Just 0.30 seconds after entering the phrase, “implications of a picture of someone hanging themselves with a tie” the search engine returns 98,700,000 results. The first one? “Suicide by hanging – Wikipedia – the free encyclopedia.” The other 98,699,999? Suicide associated links.  

Nothing referencing the acceptance of ad sales position applications. Nothing promoting resume building. Nothing encouraging the discovery of campus happenings. Nothing about gaining better sales skills.  

In a culture already saturated with an over-abundance of pain, suffering, darkness, and death – was it really necessary to sensationalize a devastatingly serious issue? According to the World Health Organization, every 40 seconds someone commits suicide. EVERY. 40. SECONDS. And the student newspaper made a mockery of it.  

Yes, Northern Iowan, you DO need help.