The end of the semester can be a difficult time for many students. Added pressure to perform well, meet expectations or reach certain milestones can negatively impact the mental health of many. College students are at increased risk for suicide, especially during high-stress times of the year. Talking about suicide, even if the conversation is brief, can encourage students who are at risk to seek support.
If you鈥檙e concerned about your student鈥檚 well-being, here are some tips you can use to talk to them about their mental health and suicide.聽
Know the warning signs
While suicides may take us by surprise or feel unexpected, there are verbal and behavioral warning signs that often precede suicidal behaviors. Knowing potential warning signs and ways to intervene can dramatically reduce the risks of suicidal behaviors.聽
Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Sudden changes in academic performance (e.g. cutting class, missing assignments, etc.)
- Being unable to sleep or sleeping all the time (including in class)
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
- Neglecting their appearance or hygiene
- Acting recklessly or engaging in increasingly risky behaviors
- Increased alcohol or other drug use
- Withdrawing from friends, family or peer groups
- Engaging in violent or self-destructive behaviors
- Expressing feelings that life is meaningless or there is no reason to live
- Feeling desperate or trapped, like there is no way out
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Noticeable decline or worsening of mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.)
- Giving away possessions
If you notice these warning signs, there are ways you can support your student and help them connect with resources.
Share your concerns
If you鈥檙e concerned about your student and feel comfortable talking with them, gently share what you鈥檝e noticed and your desire to help. Try to arrange a time to call them or see them to discuss your concerns. It can be helpful to provide concrete examples of behaviors that you鈥檝e noticed. For instance, you may say 鈥淚鈥檝e noticed that you haven鈥檛 talked about your friends in a while鈥� or 鈥淚鈥檝e noticed that you鈥檝e been struggling with your classes.鈥� Acknowledging their distress can help open the door for conversation.
Student Support and Case Management is a great supplemental resource for families to support their students. They work one-on-one with students on campus to provide support, referrals and more. SImply fill out an online referral form or call their office to get started.
Ask the question
When talking with your student, don鈥檛 be afraid to ask directly about suicide directly. Contrary to what we may think, talking about suicide directly isn鈥檛 going to plant the idea in their head. If they have been thinking about suicide, asking them about it can be a relief and an opportunity for them to talk about it more openly.聽
When you ask, express your care by saying something like 鈥淚鈥檓 asking because I care about you. Are you thinking about suicide?鈥� If they aren鈥檛, they鈥檒l let you know. Asking students, even if they aren鈥檛 thinking about suicide, lets them know that it鈥檚 okay to talk about it in the future if things change. If they are thinking about suicide, it鈥檚 likely time to help them connect with mental health resources on campus.
Listen
Listen to your student without judgment, and resist the urge to give them advice. It鈥檚 important to understand your student鈥檚 pain and what they鈥檙e experiencing. Keep in mind that suicidal behaviors are often short term and situation specific. In many cases, suicide ideation is an attempt to control or manage significant pain. When the pain subsides, suicide ideation often dissipates with it. However, understanding the source of your student鈥檚 pain (e.g. academic pressures, mental health concerns, etc.) can help you better support them and connect them with resources.
Manage your emotions
Talking about suicide can be challenging, especially if your student says they are considering suicide. It鈥檚 important to notice your own emotional response and seek your own forms of support if needed. Take deep breaths and remind yourself that you don鈥檛 need to have all the answers to ask difficult questions. Try to reiterate your care and concern calmly and without judgment. This can reassure your student that you鈥檙e able and willing to engage in these conversations and help them get support. Let them know that you are there for them and you want them to be okay.
Instill hope
Let your student know that there are resources available to help them and things can get better. Here are some on-campus resources that are available to help students who are struggling with mental health concerns or thoughts of suicide.
Emergency services (911)
If your student or someone you know is threatening to imminently kill or harm themselves, call 911 and request emergency mental health support.
Crisis services and support
If your student is in need of urgent or same-day support, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provides crisis support 24/7. Call 303-492-2277 to connect with a triage counselor. Families can also call CAPS to speak with a licensed provider for insight and referral support during business hours.
Health and Wellness liaisons
精品SM在线影片 colleges and schools have access to dedicated teams of liaisons from Counseling and Psychiatric Services, the Office of Victim Assistance and Health Promotion. While this program does not take direct referrals from families, you can encourage your student to reach out to them for additional support.
Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM provides support for students throughout their time at 精品SM在线影片. They are here to help students identify issues and appropriate resources. They also work collaboratively with students to develop an action plan.
Let鈥檚 Talk
If your student is not currently suicidal but may be struggling, Let鈥檚 Talk is a great way to get connected with support services. They can meet one-on-one with a counselor for a confidential consultation that can help them gain insight and connect with additional resources on campus.
Workshops
If your student is not currently suicidal but may be struggling, workshops are a great way for students to learn coping skills related to anxiety, stress and other painful emotions. Workshops are available throughout the week and are covered by the student mental health fee.
OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or disruptive life event.