A cheerleader who was a freshman at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana was found dead hours after posting a shocking message on her own Instagram account.
Arlana Miller (age 19, of Texas) died after sharing a touching note on Instagram that suggested she had plans to end her own life.
She spoke out about her experiences with suicide and death in the book.
“May this be a day of rest and peace. I have fought this urge since my early teenage years… I gave this life all the fight I had. Everyone who has ever entered my life is so kind and generous.
She also mentioned her struggles with Covid-19, her school, and tore her ACL ligament.
“I was so struggling this entire year. I went from covid to tears in my acl to almost failing every class. For the people who have touched my life, I wish you learned to voice your concerns and receive help. Miller said, “I failed at this and it’s now too late.”
She said, “I’ve written many suicide notes in my entire life, but I finally reached my end.”
Arlana, a Louisiana student at college was reported dead by her mother after she shared a suicide note through social media.
Miller, 19, attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge
Miller shared her thoughts on death in her last Instagram post.
Alongside the lengthy post, Miller posted this black & white photo to her Instagram account
I hope you find this helpful. I may be contradicting myself, but never give up! It’s obvious that my actions will cause a lot of people to be disappointed. It’s not true. I have let so many people down in my entire life. It just feels too much. My connection with God has been lost.
“I have been living in denial for far too long. To everyone I love, just remember that this is not your fault and I pray you don’t find guilt in my situation. I dreamed of being so many things, and I know they’re not enough. It took me a while to feel enough. But I am done fighting. I hope everyone find peace.
According to the university’s athletic department, she passed away shortly after her final assignment.
The freshman cheerleader was found dead after posting a lengthy ‘suicide’ note online
She wrote, “I have been writing so many suicide letters in my entire life, but I finally reached my end.”
Southern University Athletic Department announces the passing of one of its athletes
Ray L. Belton, Southern University’s President, stated that the entire campus was deeply affected by Arlana Miller’s passing. He made the statement in a Thursday statement.
The statement stated that the Southern University Athletic Department received notification of a post on social media, which led to “unfortunate announcement” at 9 PM, May 4, 2022.
Miller’s passing occurred during Mental Health Awareness Month. This month was designated to increase awareness and reduce stigma.
We are asking for prayers, support and love. Our deepest sympathy to The Miller family, SU Cheer, & friends. Roman Banks, athletic director at the school, and representatives of the school’s athletic division said that the school loved Arlana #ForeverJag.
Arlana Miller, cheerleader from Janice Tappin – Miller’s Facebook Page
Miller admitted that she didn’t follow her advice. Miller thanked her mother for her support in the final post.
Arlana’s mother, Janice Tappin-Miller, posted about her daughter’s mental health challenges on Facebook
Arlana Miller (sheerleader) is seen in the photo below taken by Janice Tappin, Janice Tappin and other members of their family.
Arlana is seen as a young cheerleader
Arlana is seen as a teenager after passing her driving exam
Arlana was proud to be a cheerleader daughter. Her Facebook page is littered full of photos.
Miller’s suicide comes after a series of suicides among student-athletes.
Three high-profile college student athletes have killed themselves since March.
Katie Meyer was the star goalkeeper for Stanford’s soccer team. Sarah Shulze ran for University of Wisconsin Madison. Lauren Bernett played softball for James Madison University, Harrisonburg.
Experts believe that students athletes might face academic, mental and physical pressures in order to excel at their sport.
Shulze’s family last month stated that Shulze was overwhelmed by academics and athletics in an instant.
Meyer was Stanford’s fourth student who died on campus within 14 months.
Rose Wong (transgender) and Jacob Meisel (23) were students who committed suicide on February 20, 2021. Meisel was struck by a train in August 2021.
Dylan Simmons was a third-year law graduate who was transgender and died at his campus residence on Jan 20th this year.
Jacob Meisel was a 23-year old Stanford student who was run over by a train. He was killed in an accident on August 20, 2021.
Rose Wong was transgender and also took her own life on Stanford’s campus in 2012.
Dylan Simmons, a transgender law student, was killed in the third year of his graduation.
The college released a March statement on Facebook that stated, “Over the last one year, Stanford has been grieving the unimaginable loss to multiple members of its student family,”
“In addition to Katie Meyer (a Stanford Women’s Soccer Captain and Resident Assistant who committed suicide March 1), we mourn Dylan Simmons’s recent passing, and the death of Jacob Meisel, and Rose Wong who both died in 2021. They were all accomplished and loved students that we will never forget. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family members and their friends.
Stanford is also actively recruiting for clinical counseling and therapy staff.
Data published in 2013 by American Foundation of Suicide Prevention shows that suicide is second-leading cause of death among college students.
Around 1,100 college suicides are reported each year in the United States. But, it is not possible to determine the exact number of attempts.
An analysis done by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), in 2015, revealed that suicide was responsible for 7.3% student mortality.
While the suicide rate for student-athletes is lower than in the general college population overall, the results still have a major impact on this group.
The study found that male athletes were more likely to commit suicide than their female counterparts, and footballers had the highest risk.
National universities reported a rise in student demand for therapy and wellness services during the COVID pandemic.
According to a Center for Collegiate Mental Health (Pennsylvania State University) study, 72 percent said that the Pandemic affected their mental health.
The study found that regardless of their reason, most students who sought mental health treatment reported that COVID-19 had negatively affected at least one area of their lives.
“These are the most important aspects of student experiences that universities and colleges should be focusing on in the next few months. Notably, 28% students who sought mental-health care reported that COVID-19 had not adversely affected their mental health.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Call the Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 for confidential assistance or click here Click here.
Suicide of top student-athletes
In the last 2 months, there has been an increase in suicides among student-athletes.
Three prominent college student-athletes took their own lives.
Katie Meyer, 22, March 1
Katie Meyer (22), a promising young athlete, committed suicide in Stanford’s dorm.
Katie Meyer, a young promising athlete, committed suicide in March after she felt pressured to become ‘perfect’ during the week leading to her death.
Meyer was, according to reports, the fourth Stanford student suicide victim in the last 14-months.
According to her parents, Katie might have been ‘triggered’ after receiving an email, notifying her of an impending disciplinary hearing after being involved in an unspecified incident on campus, in which she defended a teammate.
The athlete was found dead in her dorm room with what a coroner has determined to be self-inflicted wounds, just days after complaining of knee pain from a February surgery.
Meyer is a senior studying international relations with a minor in history at the school. She also uploaded photos showing her on crutches after the procedure as she went for a cup of coffee and played with Star Wars Legos.
After sharing photos of practices, she spoke candidly about her experiences and how it was going. She also talked about the times she had been drinking coffee before heading to a dinner with sororities.
Meyer died in her room at the University of Michigan four days later.
Meyers served as the Stanford women’s soccer goalkeeper
Meyer from Newbury Park, California, gained national fame after her two important saves helped the Cardinals win their third NCAA title (photo: Stanford playing).
Sarah Shulze, 21, died April 13
The California native took her own life after a battle with mental health issues. She was told by her family that she struggled to balance athletics, academics, and daily demands in one moment.
Sarah Shulze was a runner who took her own lives in April following a struggle with mental illness.
According to her family, Shulze of California died suddenly and tragically on April 13, in Wisconsin, surrounded by her loved one’s.
Two days following her death, her family stated that Sarah had taken her own life. “Balancing academics, athletics, and everyday demands overwhelmed her in one, desperate moment. As you are, we too feel shocked and grieving while still holding on to Sarah.
“Sarah considered herself a champion for women just like her many friends, family, and students,” the Shulzes said.
In the hearts of those who received her organs on Good Friday, 21-year old Sarah’s “legacy of compassion” lives on. The family plans to create a foundation that will continue support for the causes Sarah cares about.
Shulze’s parents believe that Shulze’s suicide can help other people better understand the vulnerability of mental health.
Oak Park, California-born star runner was originally a junior at Wisconsin. Her devotion to her sport, which the family says began on her high school track and cross-country teams, resulted in an athletic scholarship at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Shulze, who was competing in her third season for the Badgers. in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. In 2020, 2021 and 2021 she was awarded academic All-Big Ten honours for cross country. She also earned track all-Big Ten honors for 2021 and 2021.
Sarah Shulze (21-year-old star university of Wisconsin student-athlete) died unexpectedly on April 13, surrounded by her family.
Shulze competed in outdoor track, cross-country, and indoor track for the Badgers in her third season. In 2020, 2021 and 2021 respectively for cross-country and track, she was academically all-Big Ten.
Lauren Bernett, 20, died April 26
Bernett was a catcher for the team. She was also named Softball Player of Week by the Colonial Athletic Conference last week
Authorities said that a James Madison University standout softball player died on April 26th by apparent suicide.
Lauren Bernett (from Pennsylvania) was a sophomore catcher who had the highest number of home runs and RBIs. Her death was classified as a suicide, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office said.
This news was just one day after Bernett won the Colonial Athletic Conference softball Player-of-the Week award.
Bernett, who batted.788 (7-9), with seven RBIs in three games against Drexel, was awarded the CAA Player Of The Week. Bernett tied a JMU single-game record of seven RBIs on April 16 against College of Charleston.
She helped the Dukes reach the Women’s College World Series by helping them advance during the Women’s College World Series 2021. The Dukes won 4-3 over No. In their first game, they defeated Oklahoma No. 1.
According to officials from the sheriff’s local office, the student-athlete’s suicide is not being considered a crime.
According to James Madison University, Lauren Bernett (20 years old) was a student-athlete who died last month. Bernett, a sophomore in the softball program at James Madison University was Bernett’s last name.
Local sheriff in Harrisonburg said that the death of the student athlete is being not treated as a criminal offense. Pictured is Bernett, wearing JMU’s uniform