CRISIS INTERVENTION&

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Bernadette Peters, Ph.D.Assistant Director

Licensed PsychologistCounseling Services

s

RA Training Fall 2009

Why Learn about Crisis Intervention?

Scary but Real According to a 2007 study by the American College Health Association, 43% of students reported having felt "so depressed it was difficult to function" at least once in the prior year. Other studies, based on student surveys, suggest that 1 in 5 undergraduates reported having an eating disorder, 1 in 6 had deliberately cut or burned himself and 1 in 10 had considered suicide. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

An Emotional Crisis can Lead to • SUICIDE

Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college students. Someone dies by suicide every 16-18 minutes in the United States. An attempt is estimated to be made once every minute. Every day, approximately 80 Americans take their own life, and 1,500 more attempt to do so. There are approximately 24,000 suicide attempts annually among US college students between 18 and 24 years old 1,100 are completed

Suicide InterventionPurpose • Suicidal behavior is the most frequent mental

health emergency. The goal of crisis intervention in this case is to keep the individual alive so that a stable state can be reached and alternatives to suicide can be explored.

Lower distress & chances of living

Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Br-Del/Crisis-intervention.html#ixzz0Okw4vVS0

How??

College Student Population

There is an increase of college students with psychiatric disorders Highest rate in seniors (undergraduate) Higher rate among graduate students90% of suicides are associated with mental illnessMales die by suicide more than females, but females attempt more often Why??

Suicide & Race/Ethnicity • American Indian/Alaskan Native male

adolescents have the highest suicide rate.• Highest rates (per 100,000 people): – American Indian and Alaska Natives — 15.1– Non-Hispanic Whites — 13.9

• Lowest rates (per 100,000 people): – Hispanics — 4.9– Non-Hispanic Blacks — 5.0– Asian and Pacific Islanders — 5.7

(CDC, 2006). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) :

www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars

The Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation

College Student Suicide Mental Health Topics

How do you

Half of Us•Talk to that person•Persuade them that they could use some help•Help them get that help •Follow-up •Notify your supervisor

???

Counseling Is….

When I am around someone who is emotional, I….

Counseling Is…. A process of self-exploration and discovery that usually happens by way of a dialogue between two people. Counseling can help people …

Identify negative or illogical thinking patterns & other factors that contribute to difficulties Explore learned thoughts and behaviors that

create or maintain problems Regain a sense of control and pleasure in life Find solutions to life’s problems Discover personal strengths to overcome

problems Counseling takes courage to address problem areas and painful feelings. Entering counseling is the first step in resolving difficulties and initiating the healing process…

When I am around someone who is emotional, I….

Find out what is wrong and how I can help Get my supervisor if the situation

requires this Work within my own comfort zone

while doing what I need to as my job as an RA dictates Check in with myself and get

support, if needed

Counseling Services Tom McDermott, LMHC, NCC- Director

Bernadette Peters, Ph.D.- Assistant Director/Licensed Psychologist

Monica Romeo, LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Morgan Brooks, Ph.D.- Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Maria DiNardo, M.S. – Graduate student intern

Emily Bennett, B.A. – Graduate student intern

Isabel Molina, PMHNP-BC – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Kathy Palazzo- Office Coordinator

Counseling Services

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm716.286.8536

NU Counseling ServicesLL- Seton Hall

24/7 on call consultation service

Counseling Services

On Campus Emergencies After Hours and On Weekends:

For on-campus emergencies that occur after hours and on weekends, Counseling Services’ staff is available for consultation by contacting Campus Safety at 286-8111 or GRD/RD/RC.

Students may also directly contact Niagara County Crisis Services at (716) 285-3515.

Counseling Services DepressionAnxietyRelationship ConcernsEating DisordersSubstance abuse and DependenceChildhood AbuseRape/Sexual AssaultAnger ManagementStress Management Support for a friendFamily Problems Death of a loved oneHealth ProblemsSexual Orientation concerns

Behavioral Signs serious grade changes very emotional special attention new or regularly occurring behavior that pushes the limits of decorum dramatic weight loss agitated highly disruptive behavior inability to communicate clearly loss of contact with reality overtly suicidal thoughts homicidal threats

Other Signs he/she looks upset isolates sleep problems you notice drastic behavior changes he/she tells you something is wrong friends are concernedFacebook, etc- status is alarming (e.g., soon it will be over)

Help Yourself Talk with someoneRecognize that it can be very difficult to see someone in distress and have to interveneSeek your own supportDo your best to consult appropriately, but realize you are not responsible for student’s actions Remember- do not burden yourself by taking on inappropriate responsibility

ScenarioYou get a knock on your door at 1am from Tasha, a female student on your floor who is concerned about her roommate. She tells you the roommate, Carly, is acting highly emotional, crying a lot, and not making a lot of sense. Tasha attempted to ask Carly what is wrong but did not get a good answer from her and came to you because she does not know what else to do.

As the RA, what do you do?

Scenario- Part II Carly appears extremely sad and depressed and has cried most of the 30 minutes you have been talking to her. She tells you that her boyfriend of 3 years just broke up with her unexpectedly and that she called her sister who she usually confides in who told her simply to “suck it up.” Carly states that she does not see “the point” if she no longer is in a relationship with her boyfriend, who she had planned to marry after graduation.

What you should do Always go and talk to the student of

concern Be prepared to ask questions & listen Ask about his or her intentions regarding

living- if you can’t, get someone who canAre you thinking about killing yourself? Do you want to die? Are you considering suicide?

If you have ANY doubt about the person’s safety, get the senior staff member on call

Please talk with Counseling that day or next morning to let us know about the situation

The Truth About Suicide Video- The Truth about Suicide: Real

stories of Depression in College (27 min)

Film includes people who have been personally touched by student depression and suicide

May evoke strong personal reactions

Reactions to Video?

Key points to Remember & Utilize:

Know what services are available Recognize signs and take them seriously Know how to approach and manage

students in distress – and know when you need to get help

Know your role and work within your limits Please remember you are not alone and

help is available (for you too). Always consult!

Put critical numbers in your cell phone

Numbers to have on hand (aka, in your cell phone!)

Niagara County Crisis Services: 716.285.3515Niagara County RAPE Crisis Services: 716.285.3518 Niagara University Campus Safety: 716.286.8111 Niagara University Counseling Services: 716.286.8536Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255) National Hopeline Network: 1.800.784.2433 The On-Call Phone: 716.799.4896

Questions?

Concerns?