Statistics
What is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages?
Suicide
Name one risk factor of suicide:
1. Serious or chronic mental illness
2. Family or personal history
3. Substance abuse
4. Access to firearms
Are we licensed mental health professionals that can diagnose suicidal behavior?
No! However, there are some warning signs that we can look for in those around us.
Is having a discussion about suicide a bad idea?
What are some of the risk factors of suicide in college?
1. Loneliness in a new environment
2. Academic struggle
3. Relationship struggles
4. Financial difficulties
5. Family issues
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Why can substance abuse be a risk factor for suicide?
Substance abuse can make impulsive decisions more likely, exaggerate emotional struggles, and make it harder to process emotions healthily.
Name one warning sign of suicide.
1. Excessive or extreme signs of distress
2. Trouble concentrating
3. Extreme mood changes
4. Confusion and difficulty thinking or problems with concentrating and learning
5. Significant changes in behavior
Should you ever leave an actively suicidal person alone?
No! Either stay with them or get them to someone or someplace that will make sure they are safe.
What are some poor behavioral patterns that come from academic stress?
1. Sleep deprivation
2. Substance abuse
Identify a gender disparity in suicide statistics:
1. Men are 4x more likely than women to commit suicide
2. Men account for 75% of all suicide victims.
3. Women are 3x more likely to have attempted suicide.
What are some examples of family or personal history that can contribute to suicide risk?
1. A family record of suicide or mental illness
2. Traumatic, abusive relationships
3. Stressful lifestyles
4. Recent tragedy or loss
What is an example of excessive or extreme signs of distress?
1. Excessive worrying or fear
2. Extreme sadness
3. Prolonged irritability or anger
4. New obsession with appearance
What are the five steps of navigating a mental health crisis? (Name 3/5)
1. Determine the urgency of the situation
2. Listen non-judgmentally
3. Give reassurance and information
4. Encourage appropriate professional help
5. Encourage self-help and other support strategies
*Note that you don't need to take these steps in order
What are some negative mental health side-effects of sleep deprivation?
2. Increases anxiety
Identify a racial disparity in suicide statistics:
1. The highest rates for suicide in the US are among indigenous populations and White people.
2. For Asian Americans age 15-24, suicide is the leading cause of death
What is an example of a significant change in behavior?
1. Poor sleeping habits
2. Substance abuse
3. Physical ailments without cause
4. Inability to carry out daily activities
5. Avoiding social activities
Who should you contact if someone is actively suicidal?
Either get the person on a suicide hotline or call 911 if you can't control the situation.
What are some changes we should be making changes as students?
1. Stop placing value on yourself and others based on academic or professional success.
2. Be open about mental illness
Identify an LGBTQ+ disparity in suicide statistics:
1. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents are three times more likely than heterosexual adolescents to attempt suicide at some point in their lives
2. African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American LGBTQ+ people attempt suicide at especially high rates
3. Transgender people are 12x more likely to attempt suicide
What percent of suicide victims are under the influence?
1/3 of suicide victims
Name NAMI's mission statement!
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.