1. S uicide on C ampus :
Ris ks and
Res ources
Sponsored by:
The Oregon University Suicide Prevention Project (OUSPP)
Presenters: Mariana Peoples, MSW
John Hancock, Ed.D., Licensed Psychologist
OIT Counseling and Testing Services, LRC 229

2. Counseling and Testing Services
 Free assessments to all students
 Limited counseling available (free) to students
who are taking 6 credits or more
 Students taking 5 or fewer credits can
become eligible for counseling by paying the
Student Health fee
 Personal, academic and career counseling
 Confidential (with a few exceptions)

3. Top 10 client concerns
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Relationship issues
 Self-esteem
 Family problems
 Suicidal thoughts
 Financial problems
 Mood cycling
 Sleep problems
 Academic problems

4. Where can I find a counselor?
 LRC 229, next to CFLAT
 Call ahead for an appointment
(885-1015)
 Crisis services available
 One of the best candy dishes on
campus!

5. Why a program about suicide?
Is suicide a major public health
problem in the United States?

6. Are HIV and AIDS
major public health problems?
In the U.S., from 1979-2003*:
504,406 people died from AIDS and HIV-related
illnesses.
749,337 people died by suicide.
*Source: Dr. Paula Clayton, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Suicide Prevention: Saving Lives
One Community at a Time.”

7. Is homicide
a major public health problem?
In 2004*:
The homicide rate in Oregon was
3.1/100,000 (111 deaths).
The suicide rate in Oregon was
15.3/100,000 (550 deaths).
*Source: Violent Deaths in Oregon, 2004.

8. Is suicide a major public health problem?
Worldwide there are more deaths due to
suicide than accidents, homicides and
war combined.*
*Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Factsheet.

9. Is suicide a problem for college students?
Suicide is the second leading cause of
death among U.S. college students,
resulting in about 1,100 deaths each
year.

10. The Oregon University
Suicide Prevention Project (OUSPP)
Portland State University
Oregon Health Sciences University Eastern Oregon
University
Western Oregon University
Oregon State University
University of Oregon
Oregon Institute of Technology
Southern Oregon University
The OUSPP: Working to decrease the risk of suicide among students
in Oregon public higher education

11. It Touches Us All…
 Goals of today’s program:
 Make you aware of the problem
 Give you accurate information about suicide risk
factors and warning signs.
 Give you strategies and resources to respond

12. Two levels of intervention
 Educational Seminars
This is today’s program.
 Gatekeeper Training
Offered to individuals who, by their position, are
often in the position to make referrals.
Sign-up sheets for gatekeeper training will be
available at the end of today’s program.

13. Taking care of your “self”
Every suicide leaves 6 “survivors.”
So, please take care of your “self”
during today’s program.
What does this mean?

14. Informed consent
 Today’s program will last 80 minutes.
 Includes a presentation, discussion questions and a
survey at the end.
 Your participation is voluntary.
 Your decision to participate will not affect your
relationship with OIT, OHSU, or your grades.
 You can discontinue your participation at any time
without penalty.
 All evaluation forms are anonymous. Information will
be shared with OUSPP staff at the University of
Oregon and with SAMHSA in Washington, DC.

15. More about informed consent
 Some might feel uncomfortable, so:
 Share as much or as little as you like.
 You can leave at any time (but stay nearby so
staff can check in with you).
 Staff available after the program for individual
consultation.
 If you or someone you care about is
experiencing suicidal thoughts, please make
contact with the OIT Counseling Service (LRC
229) or Student Health Center (Semon 115).

16. More about informed consent
 Please read your informed consent forms
 Questions? Contact:
 John Hancock, Director of Counseling, OIT
885-1015
 OIT Institutional Review Board for Use of Human
Subjects at 885-1183 (Dr. Lawrence Powers)
 Office of Protection of Human Subjects at the
University of Oregon
human_subjects@orc.uoregon.edu
(541) 346-2510

17. The Truth About Suicide
A video from the American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention
Listen for answers to these two questions:
What are the risk factors and warning signs of
suicide?
What should you do if someone (including
yourself) is at risk?

18. Reactions to the film
 Why is it that people have such a hard
time talking about depression and other
mental illness?
 In what ways did the film affect your
attitudes towards suicide and mental
illness?

19. How would you help a friend who is
depressed or suicidal?
What are the risk factors and warning signs of
suicide?
What should you do if someone (including
yourself) is at risk?

20. College Suicide Statistics
 46% of college students report feeling
so depressed that it was difficult to
function at least once during the year*
 10% of college students report
seriously considering attempting suicide
in the past year*
*Source: American College Health Association. American College Health Association -
National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) Web Summary. Updated April
2006.

21. The Good News…
 Suicide rate on campus may be 7.5 per
100,000, as compared to the national average
of 15 per 100,000 for young people not
enrolled in college.*
 So, being on a college campus cuts the risk of
suicide for a young person IN HALF!!!
*Silverman et al., 1997

22. Fact or Myth
Most suicidal young people
never seek or ask for help
with their problems.

23. Myth-Most suicidal young people never give
clues that they are thinking about suicide.
 FACT-Young people often show
warning signs that indicate they are at
risk.

24. Fact or Myth
If you talk about suicide
with someone, you’ll put
the idea in their head.

25. Myth- If you talk about it you will
put the idea in their head.
FACT: Asking about suicide
does not increase the risk.
Many people will feel relieved to
be able to share such thoughts
with someone who cares.

26. Risk factors associated with suicide
 Depressed or irritable mood
 Social withdrawal
 Giving up previously enjoyed activities
 Sudden personality or behavior change
 Changes in sleeping or eating routines
 Alcohol and/or drug use
 Decrease in academic performance

27. More risk factors…
 Frequent crying
 Feeling exhausted
 Difficulty concentrating
 Moping around or feeling very agitated
 Losing connections with family and friends
 Poor self-care
 Recent loss

28. KEY Warning Signs
 Prior suicide attempt
 Feeling worthless, hopeless or having
excessive guilt
 Having thoughts of death or killing oneself
 Talking openly or indirectly about ending
one’s life
 Taking unnecessary or life-threatening risks
 Giving away personal possessions
 Gaining access to lethal means

29. Risk factors for college students
 Recent relationship breakup.
 Young men are six times more likely
than women to die by suicide.
 More than ½ of all suicides involve
drugs or alcohol.

30. Three steps to helping*
 Show you care
 Ask about suicide
 Get help
*Portions of the material that follow have been adapted (with
permission) from the Washington Youth Suicide Prevention
Program

31. Step one: Show you care
Do’s
 Be a good listener and supportive
friend.
 Be patient.
 Take all talk of suicide seriously.

32. Relax!
 Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing…
Remember:
Your genuine interest is what’s most important.
 I’m concerned about you…
 Tell me about your problems.
 You mean a lot to me and I want to help.
 I care about you, and I don’t want you to kill yourself.
 I want to help you get through this.

33. Step one: Show you care
Don’ts
 Don’t offer naïve reassurance
“Everything will be OK.” “Things can’t be that bad.”
 Don’t tell them they shouldn’t be
thinking of suicide
 Don’t be judgmental or moralize
“Suicide is a sin, it’s wrong, you’ll go to hell”

34. Step two: Ask about suicide
 Ask: Have you been thinking about
suicide?
 Have you thought how you would do it?
 How close have you come to taking
action?

35. Risk assessment
Suicidal behavior is on a continuum:
Passive Thoughts > Active thoughts
> Thoughts w/ Plan > Intention to Act

36. Time for practice
 Break into dyads
 Look into your partner’s eyes
 See them as someone you care about
 Ask, “Have you been thinking about
suicide?”

37. Step three: Get help
For them:
 Avoid leaving the person alone.
 Reassure the person that help is available.
 Know referral resources.
 Offer to help them get connected with
professional resources.
 Give crisis line information.
 Consider restricting their access to the means
of suicide.
 Follow-up with the person after the referral.

38. Step three: Get help
For you:
 Don’t promise confidentiality.
 Don’t keep it to yourself.
 Do talk with someone about YOUR
concerns. Options for support:
Counseling, Student Health, Dean of
Students, Disability Services, Residence
Life staff.

39. Options for Help
 OIT Counseling, LRC 229, 885-1015
 OIT Student Health, Semon 115, 885-1800
 OIT Dean of Students, CU 217, 885-1011
 OIT Campus Safety 885-1111 or 885-0911

40. 24 Hour Referral Resources
 Klamath Crisis Center 884-0390 or 1-800 452-3669
 Klamath County Mental Health 882-7291
 Merle West Medical Center 882-6311 - take to
Emergency Room for evaluation
 Klamath Falls Police 911
 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

41. Problems with alcohol or
drugs
 Klamath Alcohol Drug Abuse (KADA)
310 South 5th Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
(541) 882-7248
 Lutheran Community Services (LCS)
2545 North Eldorado
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
(541) 883-3471

42. Another option for help
 www.ulifeline.org
A self-help website designed specifically for
college students experiencing challenges

43. More training, anyone?
If you are interested in learning more, be
sure to sign up to receive information
about gatekeeper training!

44. Our post-test
 Please complete the Suicide Awareness
Survey and return it to us.
 Use a #2 pencil.
Remember,
 Completing this form is voluntary.
 All information is anonymous.
 Your information will help us learn what
works in the area of suicide education.