KU Suicide PreventionProject
University of Kansas StudentAffairs Professional Development Presentation
KU Suicide Prevention Project
2016 KU awarded theGarrett Lee Smith (GLS) Campus Suicide Prevention Grantfrom the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GRANT.Only for schools that have never has a SAMHSA GLS Grant.3years to develop an embedded, enduring, sustainable suicide prevention effort on campus.Grant Coordinator position created at CAPS.
Listening saves lives
Conversations are the start of help
Goals and objectives
ASSESSMENTCollect dataEnvironmental Analysis – campussnapshotNationalCollegiate Health Assessment (NCHA)HealthyMinds SurveyCreate Advisory Council– multidisciplinary; linking institution with broader community resourcesReview current policies and proceduresEstablish uniform data collection systemTRAINING –12/195Target at-risk priority groupsStudents, student leaders, faculty, staffPROMOTION OF NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE (NSPL)1-800-273-8255Suicide Prevention CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT –What are the biggest barriers to seeking help? What do students want and need and how do they want to access it?
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
- Carl Rogers
Suicide prevention
You are the Gatekeeper to help
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-8255; Headquarters Counseling Center 785-841-2345
National Collegiate Health Assessment KU, May 201544% of students felt things were hopeless88% felt overwhelmed60% felt overwhelming anxiety57% felt very lonely63% felt very sad9.2% had seriously considered suicide48% wanted to receive information from KU about suicide prevention
Mental Health on KU’s Campus
11.5%students seriouslycontemplated suicide2,863
1%attempted suicide275
National Collegiate Health Assessment KU,May 2017
HEALTHY MINDS SURVEY, November 2017
12.5%of respondents had serious thoughts of attempting suicide in the last year.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Thoughts of suicide are common. Suicide is not.Mostpeople whoexperiencesuicidal ideation do not die by suicide.93% of people who attempt suicide do not end up dying by suicide.Therange ofsuicidalideation varies greatlyfromjust contemplating it as a solution to a problem to detailed planning,role playing, self harm and attempts, which may bedeliberately constructedto bediscoveredorwhere deathis fully intended.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-8255; Headquarters Counseling Center 785-841-2345
Suicidal people are not “crazy” – more typically they suffer from a great deal of emotional pain, caused in part by depression, other mental health issues, or multiple situational factors.Almostalways, it’s not about death – it’s about ending emotionalpain
This is important!
Your ROLE in the safety Net
SEE SOMETHING?You may be the first person to SEE SOMETHING distressing in a student since you have frequent, prolonged contact with them.SAY SOMETHING.Trust your instincts and SAY SOMETHING if a student leaves you feeling worried, alarmed or threatened.DO SOMETHING!Your expression of concern may beacritical factor in saving someone's academic career and even their life.
See something?
People thinking about suicide give some warning signs:indirectlyor directly.
Indirect Warningsigns
Take notewhenyou see these in yourself oranother:Significant changes inbehaviorAppetite, sleep, concentration,hygieneIncreasinguse of alcohol, drugs, or other riskybehaviorExtrememood swings, increasingly anxious oragitatedWithdrawal,isolationExperienceof loss – relationship, self-esteem, sense ofbelongingNegativethoughts –“Thiswill never end,” “I’mtrapped”Longlasting painful feelings – shame, despair, anger, sadness, rejection
Direct Warning Signs: VerbalSigns
“I just don’t want to feel anymore.”“I hate my life.”“I can’t take it anymore.”“There’s no way out of this.”“My family would be better off without me.”“Nobody needs me.”
Direct Warning Signs:Imminent WarningSigns
Talks or writes aboutsuicideHasa plan or is searching for amethodExpressinghopelessness about thefutureMakingpreparationGiving away of treasuredbelongingsSortingout care of pets or loved onesWrites suicide note
Say something
How do I start this conversation?!Make it private and confidentialStart with theobservationsthat have you concerned“I’venoticed you haven’t gotten out of your pajamas for several days.”Tell the person that you are concerned and you care.“I’m worried about you and want to help if I can.”Open-ended questions, like “What’s going on?”can encourage talking.Encourage the person to talk about their feelings, symptoms and what’s going on in their mind. Listen for warning signs of suicide.
Loss and pain
Listen for experiences of LOSSLoss of loveLoss ofconfidence, lossofstatus, loss of faceLoss of youth, innocenceLoss of happinessLoss of faith, trustLoss of place, comfort, security, safetyListen for PAIN as reaction to LOSSExpressing painCausing painActing outAvoiding pain
“I’m fine”
What doesyour guthave to say about that?
ASK THE QUESTION
If you hear warning signs or even just feel like things aren’t safe,ASKthe question.“Are you thinking about suicide?”Askdirectly –don’t minimizewhat they’re tellingyou.Youwill not be putting the idea into their head; you will be making asafe spacefor them to address it if they areDonot leave the personaloneNeverkeep a secret about suicide
Do something
So the answer wasYES, but IS IT AN EMERGENCY?ASK these questions to assess the seriousness of the situation:Doyouwanttoend your life?Doyou have aplan?Doyou have themeans?Have you made any preparations for killing yourself?Have you everattempted in the past?IF personhas aPLANandACCESS TO LETHAL MEANS,is planning to make anattemptvery soon or is currently in the process of making anattempt,this student is in imminent danger and should not be left alone. Get help immediately via 911.
If the answer is “NO” and you believe it
Now is the time to listen,really listenBe non-judgmental – it’stheirstory, not yours.Don’t argue with them about what they’re experiencing and feeling.Be OK with silences -Is the situation awkward or is it just awkward for you?Be reassuring andpositive -“I care and will help.”Reflectwhat they share and let them know they have beenheard.Directthem to the lifeline or another mental healthprofessional – see Crisis Counseling Resource Sheet.Ask if they’d like you to check back in later.Refer to your in-house protocol for next steps.
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