This week, Sept. 9-15, is National Suicide Prevention Week, and with suicide as the third leading cause of death, accounting for 14.4 percent of all deaths for 15 to 24-year-olds, we have a responsibility to talk about prevention. In addition to national statistics, our University of Idaho National College Health Assessment data collected in 2011 reported that in the 12 months prior to being surveyed, 50 percent of UI students felt overwhelming anxiety, 39 percent felt overwhelming anger, 45 percent felt things were hopeless, 58 percent felt very lonely, 60 percent felt very sad, 32 percent felt so depressed that it was difficult to function, 4 percent intentionally injured themselves, 7 percent seriously considered suicide, and 1 percent attempted suicide.
Understanding risk factors, looking for warning signs and taking immediate action are important steps to preventing suicidal behavior, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. If you notice any concerning signs in yourself or someone you know, please reach out for help.
If you or someone that you know is in crisis and needs help, call the UI Counseling & Testing Center at 885-6716 to connect with a counselor on campus. If you need on-campus assistance outside of regular office hours, a crisis counselor is on call 24 hours a day. Also, any student, staff or faculty who is concerned about someone, may call the Dean of Student’s Office where they will initiate a formal process that the university has in place to assess suicidal behavior and intervene when necessary. You may also reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or visit their online resources at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Signs of concern include:
Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or feeling isolated
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Displaying extreme mood swings