1. - Suicide Awareness Week

2. - More than 32,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year. It is this country's 11th leading cause of death - Suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death for college students (- National Mental Health Awareness Campaign)

3. Concerning Behaviors (precursors to suicidal intent)  Marked change in behavior  Deterioration in personal hygiene  Depressed or lethargic mood  Hyperactivity or very rapid speech (mania)  Dramatic weight loss or gain  Strange or bizarre behavior  References to suicide  References to homicide

4. The Suicidal Person It is not uncommon for individuals to engage in some degree of suicidal thinking. It is not uncommon for individuals to engage in some degree of suicidal thinking. As a member of the faculty or staff, YOU may be in contact with persons who have expressed these thoughts to you. As a member of the faculty or staff, YOU may be in contact with persons who have expressed these thoughts to you. It is important that you do not simply overlook these comments, because the person may be reaching out to you. It is important that you do not simply overlook these comments, because the person may be reaching out to you. Suicidal risk is based on a constellation of clues, not just observing any one clue. Suicidal risk is based on a constellation of clues, not just observing any one clue. These clues seem to fall into the following categories: These clues seem to fall into the following categories:

5. The Suicidal Person Situational Clues – Emotional Clues – Verbal Clues – Behavioral Clues –

6. The Suicidal Person It is helpful to:  Talk about suicide openly and directly – ASK the QUESTION  Try to sound calm and understanding  Be confident and caring, and know the resources available  Take charge and call or walk the person to Sarah Pemberton (Student Affairs Case Manager), the Counseling Center or UCPD It is not helpful to:  Sound shocked by anything the person tells you  Emphasize the shock and embarrassment that the suicide would be to the person’s family, before you’re certain that’s not what he/she hopes to accomplish  Ignore comments such as “The world would be better off without me.”  Engage in a philosophical debate on the moral aspects of suicide. You may not only lose the debate, but also the suicidal person

7. How to React Once you are aware someone is having suicidal thoughts it is important to control your reactions Try and remember to: - Get ! The more support the better. - Remain calm - Understand it’s not about you - Assess the situation - Don’t ignore warning signs - Listen through the behavior - Don’t become hostile; or escalate the situation - Don’t leave the student without connecting them to the proper resources.

8. How to React  Talk to the person (privately)  Express your concern in behavioral terms  Be nonjudgmental  Listen to content and feelings  Give hope, help explore options  Maintain clear boundaries  Refer to appropriate department/person  Notify School official

9. Strategies Lower your voice and speak slowly Lower your voice and speak slowly Watch your own body language/space Watch your own body language/space Use “I” statements Use “I” statements Set clear expectations/use behavioral terms Set clear expectations/use behavioral terms Use empathy/active listening Use empathy/active listening Acknowledge a problem Acknowledge a problem

10. Resources on Campus For Emergency and Immediate Response: UC Police Department 9-1-1 (non-emergency: ext. 25222) Student Affairs Case Manager ext.29354 Counseling Center ext. 25531 (includes after hours coverage)

11. Resources Available Off Campus Helplines:  Riverside Helpline (24hours) (951) 686-4357  Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center (24 hours) (951) 686-7273  National Suicide Helpline (800) 784-2433

12. Information contained in this PowerPoint presentation was adapted with permission and in part from a similar presentation done at Ohio State University by their police and student conduct office.