SUICIDE PREVENTION

Sadly, suicide claims approximately 30,000 lives a year in the United States.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death, after accidents, among college students.

In 2000, the American College Health Association surveyed 16,000 college students from 28 college campuses. In the twelve month period prior to the survey, half of the sample reported feeling very sad, one third reported feeling hopeless and 22% reported feeling so depressed as to not be able to function.

This page is intended to be used to review risk factors for suicide, how to approach at risk students, as well as resources that are available on campus.

WARNING SIGNS

The following signs may be associated with risk for suicide. In general, the more of these factors a student has experienced and the greater the intensity, the higher the risk for suicide.

The student:

• Has suicidal ideation, plans and/or means
• Recent significant loss
• Previous suicide attempts
• Crying excessively
• Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Impaired sleep; too much or too little
• Eating problems
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Increased isolation/social withdrawal
• Exhibiting irritability; having frequent arguments
• Feeling extreme fatigue or having no energy
• Elevated drug or alcohol use
• Looking dirty and disheveled
• Alluding to suicide or life being over soon
• Missing classes or missing assignments or exams
• Disrupting class or group
• Sending suicidal or threatening emails
• Hearing voices or seeming extremely agitated
• Giving away possessions
• Recent sexual assault

HOW TO APPROACH A FRIEND OR ROOMMATE

• Get help from the Wellness and Counseling Center, Security (212) 650-7777, or the Office of Vice President for Student Affairs, Michael Smallis (212) 650-7679.
• Express your concern to the student, mentioning the warning signs you have observed. Ask about these warning signs.
• Ask about the suicidal thoughts directly, use the word suicide. This does NOT increase the risk of suicide.
• Help your friend or roommate to brainstorm and to find solutions to their problems other than suicide.
• Do not agree to keep serious suicidal thoughts in confidence. It is important that a student with serious suicidal thoughts meet with a counseling professional so the student can receive the support he/she needs.
• Be supportive and follow-up with your friend while getting professional assistance.
• Don’t carry the burden yourself. Get help from the Wellness and Counseling Center, Resident Advisors, Security (212) 650-7777, or the Office of Vice President for Student Affairs, Michael Smallis (212) 650-7679.

WHAT TO DO

• If the student has serious suicidal thoughts or appears to be in a fog or not thinking clearly, they need to be seen immediately. Call the Wellness and Counseling Center at (212) 650 8222 between 9am – 5pm and call Security (212) 650-7777 after hours. If your friend has made a suicide attempt, call 911 immediately and call campus security as well.
• If the student exhibits a few of the warning signs, but denies being suicidal, it makes sense for them to touch base with a counselor. They can call the Wellness and Counseling Center to set up an appointment at their convenience.
• If you are not sure what to do, or how to proceed, call the WCC and ask to speak to a counselor or come to the office in the Marshak Building, Room J-15, during office hours.
• If you feel your friend needs to be seen by a counselor right away and the student refuses, you can contact the WCC, your RA, the V.P. of Student Affairs Office, or Security.

REMEMBER:

Talking about suicide does NOT cause suicide- it helps prevent it.

You are not alone. The Wellness and Counseling Center can help.

National Depression Awareness Week - during the second week of November 
For National Depression Awareness Week, the Office of Wellness and Counseling is offering a Depression Screening available online that is anonymous and computer scored. At the end of the screening, you'll receive your score and contact information for the Wellness & Counseling Center. Pass the link on to the WCC, especially to anyone who isn't already aware of our available services. Visit the website below during the second week of November for the screening, and use the access code to login (Note: This will only function during this time period):

http://www.studentscreening.org

Access Code: CC1112