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Suicide Prevention for African American College Students

African American students, like all college student populations, are at risk for suicide.

Historically, the African American population has had one of the lowest rates of suicide.

However, the suicide rate for African American college age males has more than doubled in recent years.

African American college students report a very low use of counseling services. They report being worried about:

• Stigmaandprejudice• Over-pathologizing by mental health professionals• Concerns that family members, peers, or professors

might learn that they sought counseling help.

suicideprevention.osu.edu

The Ohio State University Campus Suicide Prevention Program

(OSU CSPP) and the REACH Campaign

Suicideisthesecondleadingcauseofdeathamongcollegestudents(SuicidePreventionResource Center, 2006).

The Ohio State University Facts: OSU students reported91% feeling overwhelmed 74% feeling very sad59% feeling hopeless17% experiencing depression 12% experiencing an anxiety disorder 7% seriously considered suicideNearly1%ofOSUstudentsattemptsuicide.

Tragically, only 26 percent of students surveyed reported that they were currently receiving the help that they need.

The mission of the OSU CSPP and Reach Campaign is to decrease the number of completed suicides on campus and increase mental health seeking behavior.

Suicide Hotline:614-221-5445 (Columbus Area)1-800-273-TALK (National/Veteran)Emergency Services: 911

The Ohio State University ResourcesCounseling and Consultation Service (CCS): 614- 292-5766, ccs.osu.edu.Provides:• UrgentappointmentsM-Fforstudentsin

crisis.• ReferralsforcounselingatallOSURegional

Campuses.• ConfidentialservicesforOSUstudents

and spouses/partners.

The Emergency Department at the OSU Medical Center (OSUMC ED)614-293-8333

The Student Health Services614-292-4321• Healthcareservicestostudents.

The Student Advocacy Center 614-292-1111• HelpsstudentsnavigateproblemsatOSU

The Student Wellness Center (SWC) 614-292-4527• Helpswithwellnessandfinancialconcerns

“ThispublicationwasdevelopedbyOSUCSPPPartnersundertheGarrettLeeSmithActgrantfromSAMHSA,USDHHS.Theviews,policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarilyreflectthoseofSAMHSAorUSDHHS.”

REACH: To Save a LifeR ecognize and respond to warning signs;E mpathize and engage in discussion;A ct by asking the suicide question;C onnect and convey hope with treatment;H elp them get to help.

KNOW THE SUICIDE RISKS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS: Suicide Risk Increases when African American students experience: • Isolationfromfamilyorspiritualcommunity• Prejudice,racialtension,ordiscrimination• Arecentloss(e.g.,deathorbreak-up)

Suicide Risk Increases with: • Concernsaboutmentalhealthstigma• Experiencesofhopelessness and helplessness• Conflictwithothersorfeelingmisunderstood• Behaviorsthatareimpulsiveoraggressive

Suicide Risk Increases when there is a:• Historyoffamilydepressionand/orsuicide• Historyofabuse• Historyofprevioussuicideattempts• Mentalhealthproblemthatisuntreatede.g.,

depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety

Suicide Risk Increases when the African American student has access to:• Firearmsorotherlethalmethods

KNOW THE SUICIDE RISK WARNING SIGNS An individual may be suicidal if he or she: • Reportsfeelingverydepressed• Experiencesanxietyand/orstress• Hasincreasedconflictswithfriends,

roommates, peers, faculty• Talksaboutwantingtocommitsuicide• Isfocusedondeathanddying• Writesaboutdeathand/orsuicide• Startsgivingawaypossessions• Withdrawsfromfamily,friends,andactivitiesonceenjoyed

• Saysthingslike,“Idon’tdeservetobehere,”“IwishIweredead,”“Iamgoingtokillmyself,” or“Iwanttodie.”

• Increasestheiruseofalcoholand/orotherdrugs• Engagesinrecklessbehaviors• Securesafirearmorotherlethalmethods

TAKE SUICIDE RISK SERIOUSLY, CONVEY HOPEHopefulness is the best defense against suicide. It is always better to overreact than under react.• Staycalm,listenandaccepttheirfeelings.• Trynottojudgeorargue.• Don’tactshockedbytheirplans.• Bedirect.Donotbeafraid.• Bepersistentbutgentleasyougetthemto

answer your question.

DON’T IGNORE THE WARNING SIGNS.Reach Out: Always Ask.• Askthemiftheyarethinkingaboutsuicide.• Ifyoucan’task,getsomeonewhowillask.

GET HELP, TOGETHER: Know the resources at OSU and in your community:• Offertogowiththepersonforhelpat: OSU CCS (student counseling center):

614-292-5766 Hospital Emergency Room: 614-293-8333• HelpthemcalltheSuicide Hotline: Columbus Area: 1-614-221-5445 National/Veteran: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)• Emergency Services: 911

NEVER LEAVE THE PERSON ALONE, IF POSSIBLE.Find someone else who can help; • Familyorfriends• Religiousleader• TheCounselingCenter• ResidentAdvisors• CampusSecurity

Help them find a reason to live one more day.

There is hope. There is treatment that helps.

KNOWING ABOUT DEPRESSION HELPSWhat is Depression?• Itisamedicalproblem.• Itcanaffectanyoneatanytime.• Youdon’t“getoverit”or“snapoutofit”.• Likeanyillness,apersonwithdepression

needs professional help. • Itcanbesuccessfullytreatedwithappropriate

treatment. • Stress,lifeeventsoracombinationaretriggers.

How does Depression feel? People with depression report that they feel:• Sadnessthatlastslongerthanafewdaysor

weeks. • Littleornoenjoymentinlife;• Tiredmuchofthetime;• Difficultyconcentrating;• Worthlessnessorguilty;• Hopelessnessanddespair.

What does Depression look like? Learn to recognize the signs.• Depressedmood• Irritability• Diminishedinterestinactivities• Difficultfallingasleeporsleepingallthetime

Common concerns among African American college students who experience depression

Understanding what to look for is helpful:• Academicproblems:Missingclasses,not

completing assignments, inattentiveness, and/or failing exams and courses.

• Relationshipproblems: Conflicts with roommates, family, friends, and/or partners, feelings of social isolation, feeling misunderstood

• Engaginginriskybehaviors: Violence, unprotected sexual practices, alcohol and other drug abuse, and/or driving under the influence.

• Spiritualdisconnection: Loss of faith, alienation from religion due to suicidal thoughts.