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

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)

Top 10 client concerns Anxiety Depression Relationship issues Self-esteem Family problems Suicidal thoughts Financial problems Mood cycling Sleep problems Academic problems

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!

Why a program about suicide?

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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

It Touches Us All…

Goals of today’s 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

Two levels of intervention

Educational SeminarsThis is today’s program.

Gatekeeper TrainingOffered 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 today’s program.

Taking care of your “self”

Every suicide leaves 6 “survivors.”So, please take care of your “self” during today’s program.

What does this mean?

Informed consent Today’s 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.

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).

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@orc.uoregon.edu(541) 346-2510

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?

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?

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?

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.

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

Fact or Myth

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

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.

Fact or Myth

If you talk about suicide with someone, you’ll put the idea in their head.

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.

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

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

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

one’s life Taking unnecessary or life-threatening

risks Giving away personal possessions Gaining access to lethal means

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.

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

Step one: Show you care

Do’s Be a good listener and supportive

friend. Be patient. Take all talk of suicide seriously.

Relax! Don’t worry about saying the wrong

thing…

Remember:

Your genuine interest is what’s most important.

I’m 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 don’t want you to kill yourself. I want to help you get through this.

Step one: Show you care

Don’ts Don’t offer naïve reassurance

“Everything will be OK.” “Things can’t be that bad.”

Don’t tell them they shouldn’t be thinking of suicide

Don’t be judgmental or moralize“Suicide is a sin, it’s wrong, you’ll go to hell”

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?

Risk assessment

Suicidal behavior is on a continuum:

Passive Thoughts > Active thoughts

> Thoughts w/ Plan > Intention to Act

Time for practice

Break into dyads Look into your partner’s eyes See them as someone you care

about Ask, “Have you been thinking

about suicide?”

Step three: Get helpFor 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.

Step three: Get help

For you: Don’t promise confidentiality. Don’t 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.

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

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)

Problems with alcohol or drugs Klamath Alcohol Drug Abuse (KADA) 310 South 5th Street Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (541) 882-7248

Lutheran Community Services (LCS) 2545 North Eldorado Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (541) 883-3471

Another option for help

www.ulifeline.org

A self-help website designed specifically for college students experiencing challenges

More training, anyone?

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

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.