[Kate*]

I had a similar experience when our counseling psych class discussed suicide. I have had suicidal thoughts and I have lost a family member to suicide. The video clip to begin the discussion triggered the heck out of me and then I had to sit through a group discussion where people were NOT respectful where my few reluctant contributions were judged and somebody who didn't have business to told me that I shouldn't be a counselor if I was going to have a normal human reaction to something that was already difficult enough. I wanted to run out of there. Obviously, nobody could tell anything was wrong or somebody would've said something. In retrospect, I probably should've excused myself for a few minutes or told the professor that I was upset. I hope your lecture is at least respectful of the subject and of people who do or have done it. You are always welcome to excuse yourself, or if you're comfortable enough with the instructor you can let them know that this is a difficult topic for you (you don't have to tell them why) and they should understand.