Responding to Distressed Students Counseling & Testing Center P.O. Box 44010 Lafayette, LA 70504 Olivier Hall, Room 212 Phone: 337/482-6480 Fax: 337/482-1267.

Responding to Responding to Distressed StudentsDistressed Students

Counseling & Testing CenterCounseling & Testing CenterP.O. Box 44010P.O. Box 44010

Lafayette, LA  70504Lafayette, LA  70504Olivier Hall, Room 212Olivier Hall, Room 212Phone:  337/482-6480Phone:  337/482-6480Fax:      337/482-1267Fax:      337/482-1267

E-mail: E-mail:     [email protected]

http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Counseling/http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Counseling/

Faculty and staff members are in Faculty and staff members are in a unique position to identify and a unique position to identify and help individuals who are in crisis. help individuals who are in crisis. This may be particularly true for This may be particularly true for people who cannot or will not people who cannot or will not turn to family or friends. turn to family or friends.

Individuals typically encounter a great deal of Individuals typically encounter a great deal of stress during their university years (i.e., stress during their university years (i.e., academic, social, family, religion, and career). academic, social, family, religion, and career).

While most cope successfully with the While most cope successfully with the demands of college life, for some the demands of college life, for some the pressures can become overwhelming and pressures can become overwhelming and unmanageable. People may feel alone, unmanageable. People may feel alone, isolated, helpless, and even hopeless.   isolated, helpless, and even hopeless.  

These feelings can easily disrupt their lives These feelings can easily disrupt their lives and may result in harmful behaviors such as and may result in harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, physical threats toward substance abuse, physical threats toward others, and/or suicide.others, and/or suicide.

1.1. Nationally, suicide is the ___ leading Nationally, suicide is the ___ leading cause of death for young adults?cause of death for young adults?

A.A. Number 1Number 1

B.B. SecondSecond

C.C. ThirdThird

D.D. FourthFourth

1.1. Answer CAnswer C

Nationally, suicide is the Nationally, suicide is the thirdthird leading leading cause of death for young adults?cause of death for young adults?

Approximately 7% of students in Approximately 7% of students in counseling at UL report problems counseling at UL report problems with suicidal ideations.with suicidal ideations.

Anyone who is seen as caring and Anyone who is seen as caring and trustworthy may be a potential trustworthy may be a potential resource in times of trouble. resource in times of trouble.

Your expression of interest and Your expression of interest and concern may be a critical factor in concern may be a critical factor in maintaining safety and security.maintaining safety and security.

2. The first episodes of Anxiety, 2. The first episodes of Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, & Depression, Bipolar Disorder, & Schizophrenia are typically Schizophrenia are typically experienced when?experienced when?

A.A. During Middle SchoolDuring Middle School

B.B. During High SchoolDuring High School

C.C. During CollegeDuring College

D.D. During MidlifeDuring Midlife

2. Answer : C2. Answer : C

The first episodes of Anxiety, The first episodes of Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, & Depression, Bipolar Disorder, & Schizophrenia are typically Schizophrenia are typically experienced experienced during college years.during college years.

Approximately 24% of students at the Approximately 24% of students at the UL Counseling Center are being UL Counseling Center are being treated for an Anxiety Related treated for an Anxiety Related Disorder.Disorder.

We encourage you to speak directly to students when you sense that they are in academic or personal distress.

Openly acknowledge that you are aware of their distress, that you are sincerely concerned about their welfare and that you are willing to help them explore their options.

3. 3. Approximately 80% of completed Approximately 80% of completed suicide victims?suicide victims?

A.A. Made previous references to suicide or Made previous references to suicide or death.death.

B.B. Experience legal difficulties.Experience legal difficulties.

C.C. Isolate from others.Isolate from others.

D.D. Show a marked change in academic Show a marked change in academic performance or behavior.performance or behavior.

3. Answer: A3. Answer: A

Approximately 80% of completed suicide Approximately 80% of completed suicide victims made previous references victims made previous references (verbally or written) to suicide or death.(verbally or written) to suicide or death.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Take what they say seriously and don’t assume they are joking

Give hope by assuring the student that things can get better

Stress the importance of getting help before a situation exacerbates

Suggest Counseling & Testing as a resource

If the danger is imminent, contact University Police (337.482.6447)

4. What is the most common and lethal 4. What is the most common and lethal method of suicide?method of suicide?

A.A. Drug overdoseDrug overdose

B.B. FirearmFirearm

C.C. HangingHanging

D.D. Carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoning

4. 4. Answer: BAnswer: B

FirearmsFirearms are the most common and lethal are the most common and lethal method of suicide.method of suicide.

If hospitalization is not warranted, you If hospitalization is not warranted, you should: (1) no-suicide contract, (2) should: (1) no-suicide contract, (2) emergency phone #s, (3) pursue no-emergency phone #s, (3) pursue no-shows & involve family, & (4) remove shows & involve family, & (4) remove firearms from home. firearms from home.

Taking the step to assist a student can save a life...perhaps save many lives. It is a positive and life-affirming step to take.

5. Which life stressor most often precedes 5. Which life stressor most often precedes a completed suicide for college age a completed suicide for college age individuals?individuals?

A.A. Death of grandparentDeath of grandparent

B.B. Failing a classFailing a class

C.C. Living aloneLiving alone

D.D. Break-up with boy/girlfriend or Break-up with boy/girlfriend or argument with parentargument with parent

5. Answer : D5. Answer : D

Interpersonal conflict most often precedes Interpersonal conflict most often precedes a completed suicide for college age a completed suicide for college age individuals. Especially when the conflict is individuals. Especially when the conflict is with a representative of their family with a representative of their family and/or social life.and/or social life.

An individual who is distressed often wants help but doesn't know how to ask. You can play an essential role by expressing your concern in a caring, nonjudgmental way.

6. Approximately ___ % of people who 6. Approximately ___ % of people who commit suicide have had at least 1 commit suicide have had at least 1 previous attempt?previous attempt?

A.A. 70%70%

B.B. 50%50%

C.C. 30%30%

D.D. 10%10%

6. Answer : A6. Answer : A

Approximately Approximately 7070 % of people who commit % of people who commit suicide have had at least 1 previous suicide have had at least 1 previous attempt. The risk for a future “successful” attempt. The risk for a future “successful” attempt greatly increases after several attempt greatly increases after several attempts or after 1 attempt requiring attempts or after 1 attempt requiring medical intervention.medical intervention.

7. Which statement is 7. Which statement is correct?correct?

A.A. Females commit suicide more often Females commit suicide more often than males.than males.

B.B. Males attempt suicide more often than Males attempt suicide more often than females.females.

C.C. Males commit suicide more often than Males commit suicide more often than females.females.

D.D. None of the aboveNone of the above

7. Answer: C7. Answer: C

Females attempt suicide more often than Females attempt suicide more often than males, but males complete suicide more often males, but males complete suicide more often than females. Males are more likely to kill than females. Males are more likely to kill themselves, because they tend to use more themselves, because they tend to use more lethal means.lethal means.

8. What should you do?8. What should you do?

www.sa.psu.edu/caps/distress/distress/default.shtml

COUNSELING & TESTING OFFICE COUNSELING & TESTING OFFICE HOURSHOURS

Appointments can be arranged by calling Appointments can be arranged by calling (337)482-6480 or stopping by the Center (337)482-6480 or stopping by the Center of the 2nd floor of Olivier Hall during the of the 2nd floor of Olivier Hall during the Center's hours Center's hours

(7:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - (7:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) Monday through Thursday 5:00 p.m.) Monday through Thursday

(7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) on Friday. (7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) on Friday.

In case of emergencies after hours, contact In case of emergencies after hours, contact University Police 482.6447.University Police 482.6447.

TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING DISTRESSED INDIVIDUALS

Talking about self-harm or harm to others Perception of being a burden Feeling hopeless Seeking revenge Significant deterioration in appearance or quality of

work Sudden aggressive or confrontational behavior Noticeable disorientation, confusion, or bizarre

behaviors Persistent sadness, low self-esteem or fearfulness Sudden decline in attendance Dramatic weight loss or gain Isolation from family and friends

Test

To receive Advisor Training credit (for advising awards) please click here and answer test questions. After completion, save the file as your name; then attach the file in an email to [email protected] or print and send your answers through campus mail to Bette Harris c/o Academic Success Center.