Suicide on Campus: Risks and Resources

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Suicide on Campus Risks and Resources

• Sponsored by
• The Oregon University Suicide Prevention Project
  (OUSPP)
• Presenters Mariana Peoples, MSW
• John Hancock, Ed.D., Licensed
  Psychologist
• OIT Counseling and Testing Services,
  LRC 229

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Counseling and Testing Services

• Free assessments to all students
• Limited counseling available (free) to students
  who are taking 6 credits or more
• Students taking 5 or fewer credits can become
  eligible for counseling by paying the Student
  Health fee
• Personal, academic and career counseling
• Confidential (with a few exceptions)

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Top 10 client concerns

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationship issues
• Self-esteem
• Family problems
• Suicidal thoughts
• Financial problems
• Mood cycling
• Sleep problems
• Academic problems

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Where can I find a counselor?

• LRC 229, next to CFLAT
• Call ahead for an appointment
• (885-1015)
• Crisis services available
• One of the best candy dishes on campus!

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Why a program about suicide?

• Is suicide a major public health problem in the
  United States?

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Are HIV and AIDS major public health problems?

• In the U.S., from 1979-2003
• 504,406 people died from AIDS and HIV-related
  illnesses.
• 749,337 people died by suicide.
• Source Dr. Paula Clayton, American Foundation
  for Suicide Prevention. Suicide Prevention
  Saving Lives One Community at a Time.

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Is homicide a major public health problem?

• In 2004
• The homicide rate in Oregon was 3.1/100,000 (111
  deaths).
• The suicide rate in Oregon was 15.3/100,000 (550
  deaths).
• Source Violent Deaths in Oregon, 2004.

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Is suicide a major public health problem?

• Worldwide there are more deaths due to suicide
  than accidents, homicides and war combined.
• Source American Foundation for Suicide
  Prevention Factsheet.

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Is suicide a problem for college students?

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death
  among U.S. college students, resulting in about
  1,100 deaths each year.

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The Oregon University Suicide Prevention Project
(OUSPP)

• Portland State University
• Oregon Health Sciences University
  Eastern Oregon University
  
• Western Oregon University
• Oregon State University
• University of Oregon
• Oregon Institute of Technology
• 
  Southern Oregon University
• The OUSPP Working to decrease the risk of
  suicide among students in Oregon public higher
  education

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It Touches Us All

• Goals of todays program
• Make you aware of the problem
• Give you accurate information about suicide risk
  factors and warning signs.
• Give you strategies and resources to respond

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Two levels of intervention

• Educational Seminars
• This is todays program.
• Gatekeeper Training
• Offered to individuals who, by their position,
  are often in the position to make referrals.
• Sign-up sheets for gatekeeper training will be
  available at the end of todays program.

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Taking care of your self

• Every suicide leaves 6 survivors.
• So, please take care of your self during
  todays program.
• What does this mean?

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Informed consent

• Todays program will last 80 minutes.
• Includes a presentation, discussion questions and
  a survey at the end.
• Your participation is voluntary.
• Your decision to participate will not affect your
  relationship with OIT, OHSU, or your grades.
• You can discontinue your participation at any
  time without penalty.
• All evaluation forms are anonymous. Information
  will be shared with OUSPP staff at the University
  of Oregon and with SAMHSA in Washington, DC.

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More about informed consent

• Some might feel uncomfortable, so
• Share as much or as little as you like.
• You can leave at any time (but stay nearby so
  staff can check in with you).
• Staff available after the program for individual
  consultation.
• If you or someone you care about is experiencing
  suicidal thoughts, please make contact with the
  OIT Counseling Service (LRC 229) or Student
  Health Center (Semon 115).

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More about informed consent

• Please read your informed consent forms
• Questions? Contact
• John Hancock, Director of Counseling, OIT
• 885-1015
• OIT Institutional Review Board for Use of Human
  Subjects at 885-1183 (Dr. Lawrence Powers)
• Office of Protection of Human Subjects at the
  University of Oregon human_subjects_at_orc.uoregon.ed
  u
• [phone]

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The Truth About Suicide

• A video from the American Foundation for Suicide
  Prevention
• Listen for answers to these two questions
• What are the risk factors and warning signs of
  suicide?
• What should you do if someone (including
  yourself) is at risk?
  

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Reactions to the film

• Why is it that people have such a hard time
  talking about depression and other mental
  illness?
• In what ways did the film affect your attitudes
  towards suicide and mental illness?

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How would you help a friend who is depressed or
suicidal?

• What are the risk factors and warning signs of
  suicide?
• What should you do if someone (including
  yourself) is at risk?

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College Suicide Statistics

• 46 of college students report feeling so
  depressed that it was difficult to function at
  least once during the year
• 10 of college students report seriously
  considering attempting suicide in the past year
• Source American College Health Association.
  American College Health Association - National
  College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) Web
  Summary. Updated April 2006.

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The Good News

• Suicide rate on campus may be 7.5 per 100,000,
  as compared to the national average of 15 per
  100,000 for young people not enrolled in
  college.
• So, being on a college campus cuts the risk of
  suicide for a young person IN HALF!!!
• Silverman et al., 1997

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Fact or Myth

• Most suicidal young people never seek or ask
  for help with their problems.

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Myth-Most suicidal young people never give clues
that they are thinking about suicide.

• FACT-Young people often show warning signs that
  indicate they are at risk.

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Fact or Myth

• If you talk about suicide with someone, youll
  put the idea in their head.

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Myth- If you talk about it you will
put the idea in their head.

• FACT Asking about suicide does not increase
  the risk. Many people will feel relieved to be
  able to share such thoughts with someone who
  cares.

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Risk factors associated with suicide

• Depressed or irritable mood
• Social withdrawal
• Giving up previously enjoyed activities
• Sudden personality or behavior change
• Changes in sleeping or eating routines
• Alcohol and/or drug use
• Decrease in academic performance

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More risk factors

• Frequent crying
• Feeling exhausted
• Difficulty concentrating
• Moping around or feeling very agitated
• Losing connections with family and friends
• Poor self-care
• Recent loss

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KEY Warning Signs

• Prior suicide attempt
• Feeling worthless, hopeless or having excessive
  guilt
• Having thoughts of death or killing oneself
• Talking openly or indirectly about ending ones
  life
• Taking unnecessary or life-threatening risks
• Giving away personal possessions
• Gaining access to lethal means

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Risk factors for college students

• Recent relationship breakup.
• Young men are six times more likely than women to
  die by suicide.
• More than ½ of all suicides involve drugs or
  alcohol.

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Three steps to helping

• Show you care
• Ask about suicide
• Get help
• Portions of the material that follow have been
  adapted (with permission) from the Washington
  Youth Suicide Prevention Program

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Step one Show you care

• Dos
• Be a good listener and supportive friend.
• Be patient.
• Take all talk of suicide seriously.

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Relax!

• Dont worry about saying the wrong thing
• Remember
• Your genuine interest is whats most important.
• Im concerned about you
• Tell me about your problems.
• You mean a lot to me and I want to help.
• I care about you, and I dont want you to kill
  yourself.
• I want to help you get through this.

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Step one Show you care

• Donts
• Dont offer naïve reassurance
• Everything will be OK. Things cant be that
  bad.
• Dont tell them they shouldnt be thinking of
  suicide
• Dont be judgmental or moralize
• Suicide is a sin, its wrong, youll go to
  hell

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Step two Ask about suicide

• Ask Have you been thinking about suicide?
• Have you thought how you would do it?
• How close have you come to taking action?

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Risk assessment

• Suicidal behavior is on a continuum
• Passive Thoughts gt Active thoughts
• gt Thoughts w/ Plan gt Intention to Act

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Time for practice

• Break into dyads
• Look into your partners eyes
• See them as someone you care about
• Ask, Have you been thinking about suicide?

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Step three Get help

• For them
• Avoid leaving the person alone.
• Reassure the person that help is available.
• Know referral resources.
• Offer to help them get connected with
  professional resources.
• Give crisis line information.
• Consider restricting their access to the means of
  suicide.
• Follow-up with the person after the referral.

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Step three Get help

• For you
• Dont promise confidentiality.
• Dont keep it to yourself.
• Do talk with someone about YOUR concerns. Options
  for support
• Counseling, Student Health, Dean of Students,
  Disability Services, Residence Life staff.

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Options for Help

• OIT Counseling, LRC 229, 885-1015
• OIT Student Health, Semon 115, 885-1800
• OIT Dean of Students, CU 217, 885-1011
• OIT Campus Safety 885-1111 or 885-0911

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24 Hour Referral Resources

• Klamath Crisis Center 884-0390 or 1-800 452-3669
• Klamath County Mental Health 882-7291
• Merle West Medical Center 882-6311 - take to
  Emergency Room for evaluation
• Klamath Falls Police 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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Problems with alcohol or drugs

• Klamath Alcohol Drug Abuse (KADA)
• 310 South 5th Street
• Klamath Falls, OR 97601
• [phone]
• Lutheran Community Services (LCS)
• 2545 North Eldorado
• Klamath Falls, OR 97601
• [phone]

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Another option for help

• www.ulifeline.org
• A self-help website designed specifically for
  college students experiencing challenges

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More training, anyone?

• If you are interested in learning more, be sure
  to sign up to receive information about
  gatekeeper training!

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Our post-test

• Please complete the Suicide Awareness Survey and
  return it to us.
• Use a 2 pencil.
• Remember,
• Completing this form is voluntary.
• All information is anonymous.
• Your information will help us learn what works in
  the area of suicide education.