Suicide Prevention
Risk Factors Past history of attempted suicide - Between 20 & 50 percent of people who kill themselves had previously attempted suicide. Those who have made serious suicide attempts are at a much higher risk of actually taking their lives.
Risk Factors Psychiatric Disorders. Genetic Predisposition- Family history of suicide, depression or other psychiatric illnesses. Impulsivity. -Impulsive individuals are more apt to act on suicidal impulses. Males are three to five times more likely to commit suicide than females. Precipitating event.
Warning Signs Death or terminal illness of relative or friend. Divorce, separation, broken relationship, stress on family.
Warning/Danger Signs Loss of job, home, money, self-esteem. Has attempted suicide before. Takes unnecessary risks. Is preoccupied with death and dying. Loses interest in their personal appearance. Increase in their use of alcohol or drugs. Depression.
Symptoms of Depression: Depressed mood. Change in appetite or weight. Change in sleeping patterns. Speaking and/or moving with unusual speed or slowness. Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Decrease in sexual drive. Fatigue or loss of energy.
Warning/Danger Signs Despondent messages on exams: “It’s no use.” “This will be the end of me.” Messages of hopelessness in term papers or notes. Emails of a distressed nature from students.
Warning/Danger Signs Sudden change in attendance and/or appearance. Noticeable reduction in quality of work. Significant disengagement. Inappropriate use of alcohol/drugs. Recent significance loss. Off-handed comments about not being around or about death.
Common Expressions Can’t stop the pain. Can’t think clearly-can’t get control. Can’t make decisions. Can’t see any way out. Can’t sleep, eat or work. Can’t get out of depression. Can’t make the sadness go away. Can’t see a future without pain. Can’t see themselves as worthwhile. Can’t get someone’s attention.
How To Help Many people at some time in their lives think about committing suicide. Most decide to live, because they eventually come to realize that the crisis is temporary and death is permanent.
How To Help Be direct. Talk openly. Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings and accept the feelings. Be non-judgmental. Don’t lecture on the value of life. Get involved. Become available. Don’t dare him/her to do it.
How To Help Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you. Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support. Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance. Take action. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills. Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
Overview of Suicide and Mental Illness Among College-Age Students cont. Clinical depression often first appears in adolescence. The vast majority of young adults aged 18 and older who are diagnosed with depression do not receive appropriate or even treatment at all.
Recognizing Depression All of the danger signs are magnified in importance if the patient is depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often rather expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had been enjoyable. Depression is present if at least five of the following symptoms have been present nearly every day for at least two weeks:
Suicidal Behavior Self-inflicted injuries, such as cuts, burns, or head banging. Reckless behavior: unexplained accidents. Verbal behavior that is ambiguous or indirect. Voices are telling them to do bad things. Requests for euthanasia information, inappropriate joking, stories or essays on morbid themes.
Higher Risks Group Students who have a pre-existing mental health condition when they enter college. Students who develop mental health problems during the college years. Age, gender, ethnicity, and treatment status all have an impact on the risk profile.
Understanding and Helping the Suicidal Person There is no typical suicide victim. It happens to young and old, rich and poor. Fortunately there are some common warning signs which when acted upon, can save lives.
What Can We Do? Campuses that provide accessible resources or student services for academic assistance can help ameliorate these feelings of failure or alienation. Students need to know where and from whom help is available.
What Can We Do? Cont. Campus personnel who are close to the students, such as student advisors/proctors, faculty, and coaches, need to be informed about what to look for, as well as how to advise students on where to go for help.