Suicide on Campus: Risks and Resources

1
Suicide on Campus Risks and Resources

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

2
Counseling and Testing Services

• Free assessments to all students who have paid
  their Health Fees
• Personal, academic and career counseling
• Confidential (with a few exceptions)

3
Top 10 client concerns

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

4
Where can I find a counselor?

• Places to Call
• 1-888-232-7192 (24-hr toll-free )
• 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) (National 24 hour
  crisis line)
• [phone] -- CAPS, during business hours
• Places to Go
• CAPS, during business hours, (500 Snell Hall)
• Student Health Services, during business hours
  (Plageman Hall)
• Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room
• Places to go on-line
• UlifelineUlifeline is a wonderful resource that
  provides several features for OSU students,
  including a depression/suicide self-assessment, a
  place to ask questions, information sources, and
  lists of resources.
• Resource List
• Metanoia

5
Why a program about suicide?

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

6
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.

7
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.

8
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.

9
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.

10
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

11
It Touches Us All

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

12
Taking care of your self

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

13
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?

14
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.

15
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

16
Fact or Myth

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

17
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.

18
Fact or Myth

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

19
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.

20
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

21
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

22
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

23
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.

24
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

25
Step one Show you care

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

26
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.

27
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

28
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?

29
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.

30
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.

31
More Options for Help

• http//oregonstate.edu/counsel/suicide-prevention
• http//www.rotc.usaac.army.mil/WellBeing/suicide_a
  wareness.htm