STUDENTS IN CRISIScommon issues among college students

Resident Assistant Training 2008

Presentation by Reid McCormick

TOPICS• Stress• Depression • Suicide• Eating Disorders• Self-injury• Grief and Loss• Alcohol Abuse

SIGNS OF STRESS• Changes in sleep patterns• Changes in eating patterns • Frequent headaches • Short temper, increased irritability • Recurring colds and minor illnesses • Frequent muscle ache and/or tightness• More disorganized than normal• Increased frustration and anger

DEALING WITH STRESS• Have a solid sleep regiment• Eat healthy• Exercise regularly (in moderation)• Breathing exercises• Stay organized• Ask others for help

What do they have in common?• Abraham Lincoln• Theodore Roosevelt• Ludwig von Beethoven• Edgar Allen Poe• Mark Twain• Vincent van Gogh• Georgia O'Keefe.

SIGNS of DEPRESSIONWithdrawal from friends and extracurricular activities Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessnessSudden decline in enthusiasm and energy Lowered self-esteem, or feelings of guilt Unprovoked episodes of cryingSudden neglect of appearance and hygieneChange in appetitie or weightIncrease use of alcohol or other drugsRecurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation

What can you do?• Encourage them to go to the health center• Encourage the person to stick with their

treatment plan (including taking prescribed medicine)

• Give emotional support by listening carefully and offering hope.

• Invite the person to join you in activities • Do not accuse the person of faking illness or• Take any comments about suicide seriously

(contact RD immediately)

MYTHS about SUICIDE• Thinking about suicide is rare.• People who talk about suicide don’t actually

die by suicide; they are only looking for attention.

• Everyone who dies by suicide is depressed.• You have to be crazy to die by suicide.• You can’t stop someone who really wants to

die by suicide.

MYTHS (cont’d)• There are no warning signs for suicide.• Talking to someone about suicide will put the

idea into his/her head.• Most people who attempt suicide once will

attempt it again. • People who attempt suicide have gotten it out

of their systems and won’t try it again.

RISK FACTORS• AGE – elderly Caucasian males and young adults

(age 15-24 years) • GENDER – males are three to five times more likely

to die by suicide than females• SEXUAL ORIENTATION – GLBT individuals are at

increased risk for suicidal behaviors• HISTORY – those who have made prior attempts are

at higher risk for repeat behavior• PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER – depression, bipolar,

anxiety, schizophrenia, bordline personality, and antisocial personality

RISK FACTORS (cont’d)• SUBSTANCE ABUSE – the abuse of alcohol

or other drugs raises the risk of suicide• GENETIC – family history of suicide,

depression, or other psychiatric disorder increases risk

Risk Factors among College Students• New and unfamiliar environment• Difficulties adjusting to new demands and

different work loads• Lack of adequate social and coping skills• Academic and social pressures• Feelings of failure or decreased performance• Sense of alienation and lack of social support• Family history of mental illness

Suicide Among College Students• After accidents, suicide is the second leading

cause of death among college students• The suicide rate for 14-24 years olds

increased over 200% over the last 50 years

• One in 12 college students have made a suicide plan.         

American College Health Association Survey

• In 2000, the 16,000 college students from 28 college campuses were surveyed.

• 9.4% of students had seriously contemplated suicide. 1.6% have made a suicide attempt. In the twelve month period prior to the survey, 80.7% very sad61.1% hopeless43.3% so depressed they are not able to function.

Warning Signs of Suicide• Hopelessness• Drastic changes in mood/behavior• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities,

seemingly without thinking• Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out• Increased alcohol or drug use• Withdrawing from friends, family and society

Preoccupation with death and dyingPrevious suicide attempts

What can you do?• Be honest and express your concerns.

“You seemed really down lately; is something bothering you?” • Ask directly about thoughts of suicide.

“Have you thought of hurting yourself?”  • If suicidal thoughts are expressed, it is

important to contact someone immediately (e.g., RD, Counseling Services, Campus Safety, Asst. Dean)

Helping Students• Listen and offer emotional support,

understanding and patience.• Convey the message that depression is

real, common and treatable.  Suicidal feelings are real and preventable.

• Offer to accompany your friend to see a counselor.

Facts on Eating Disorders• As many as 10 million females and 1 million

men struggle with eating disorders• The peak onset of eating disorders occur

during late puberty and early adulthood (aka college years)

• Anoxeria Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness

Common Factors      Cultural pressures to be thin (57.3%)Stress from family and life in general (40.3% and 46.2%, respectively)Personal choice (39%)Mental illness (35.4%) History of trauma (17.9%)Genetics (17.6%)

Signs of Eating DisordersIntense fear of gaining weight

Excessive physical activity

Preoccupation with food and dieting

Smoking as appetite suppresent

Withdrawal from friends and family

Overuse of laxatives to lose weight

Poor health (extreme weight loss; absence of menstruation; hair, nail, and skin problems)

What can you do?Talk to your friend and listen

Focus on what he/she is going through emotionally

Encourage them to seek help but don’t be forceful

Don’t try to be their nutrionist

Talk to a staff member (RD, Counselor)

Self-InjuryDeliberate infliction of bodily harm to oneself May be aimed at relieving unbearable emotions or sensations of realityCan be associated with another mental issue

Forms of Self-InjuryCutting, scratching and carvingExcoriation of woundsSelf-hittingSelf-burningHead bangingSelf-inflicted tattoos or piercingsHair pulling

At Risk for Self-InjuryIntense stressInability to copePeer influencesLow self-esteemResponse from situationHistory of eating disorder or substance abuse

What can you do?• Be honest with the person in

sharing your concerns• Contact your RD about your

concerns• Refer to counseling services and

offer to accompany the person to the initial session

Loss and GriefLoss: emotional suffering when someone or

something of great value I taken awayExamples of loss:

A relationship breakup Moving Loss of love one Loss of financial stability Loss of a cherished dream A loved one’s serious illness Loss of a friendship Loss of safety after a trauma Divorce in family Ending an addiction Major health changes Financial changes Legal problems Sense of control over one’s body (in the case of abuse or assault)

Myths about Loss• The pain will go away if you ignore it• It’s important to be strong in loss• If you don’t cry, you’re not aren’t sorry

about your loss• Grief should only last a year• Those who don’t say anything, don’t

want help• Friends should avoid talking about the

loss

What can you do?• Ask specific questions (not “How are you?”

but “How are you feeling?”)• Keep your interactions as normal as

possible.• Be sensitive to the specific circumstances

surrounding the loss.• Ask for permission before telling others but

make sure your RD is aware of the situation

• Don’t underestimate yourself!

Alcohol Abuse• 1,400 college students die from alcohol-

related causes, and 1,100 of these deaths involve drinking and driving.

• 500,000 students suffer nonfatal injuries.

• 400,000 students have unprotected sex.• More than 100,000 students are too

intoxicated to know whether they consented to sexual intercourse

Dangers of Alcohol Abuse• Legally Drunk = .08 BAC• 5 drinks for an average man• 4 drinks for an average woman• 1 drink = 12oz beer, 3oz of wine, or 1

shot of hard liquor• Binge Drinking: consuming 4 to 5

alcoholic drinks in less than one hour

Dangers of Alcohol Abuse• A moderate social drinker can

experience• Liver damage (fatty liver, cirrhosis)• Heart problems (HBP, arrythmia)• Stomach (gastritis, ulcers)• Brain (depressant)

Myths of Alcohol Abuse• “It’s just a college thing. Life after

college will be different”Alcoholism is a disease. Many times medical attention is needed. No one plans to be an alcoholic.

• “Everyone drinks”Look at the facts!

• “I can hold my liquor.”Tolerance to alcohol effects is one of the first signs of alcoholism.

• “I can sober up quickly”Nothing can speed up the sobering process, and no, breath mints fool no one!

What can you do?• Practice safe drinking• Report any drinking on campus (via

campus policy)• If you come in contact with a drunk

individual call RD on Duty immediately• Approach some one who you think is

abusing alcohol (only approach when sober)

Numbers You Need to KnowRD numberRD on DutyCampus SafetyZerbe Health and Wellness Center

Questions?

Resourceshttp://stress.about.com/od/studentstress/tp/school_stress.htm

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/498_dep.html

http://www.suicide.org/suicide-myths.html

http://www.texassuicideprevention.org/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/suicide/suicide_data_sheet.pdf

http://www.fullerton.edu/universityblues/suicide/default.htm

http://www.suicideprevention.uconn.edu/

http://www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA_Reference_Group_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2000.pdf

Resourceshttp://www.wsc.edu/counseling_center/related_services/eating_disorders/college_students/

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-resources/index.php

http://www.counseling.caltech.edu/articles/helpfriendwitheatingdisorder.html#Specific%20suggestions%20on%20helping%20a%20friend%20with%20an%20eating%20disorder

http://www.selfinjury.com/resources_faq.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/self-injury/DS00775/DSECTION=prevention

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/grief_loss.htmhttp://www.hns.org/Portals/1/Myths%20and%20Facts%20About%20Grief.pdf

http://www.factsontap.org http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov