Andi
04-07-05, 02:14 PM
by Tonia Biggs
Contributing Writer
April 06, 2005
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students and the third cause of death among those 15-24 years of age according to the National Institute of Mental Health. According to a national survey, 9.5 percent of college students thought seriously about committing suicide and 1.5 percent reported attempting suicide.
Suicide claims more lives than homicide in the U.S. Since January of 2003 there have been five attempted suicides at the University of South Alabama that have been reported to campus police. It is imperative that students know free help is available to them through the USA Counseling and Student Health Services.
Depression can be successfully treated by a mental health professional with counseling, medication, or a combination of both. Unrelieved symptoms of mental health problems, especially depression, can be linked to students who are at risk to attempt suicide.
According to Dr. Clark of the USA Counseling Center, simply "being a college student is stressful." Common stresses of college life include greater academic demands, being on your own in a new environment, changes in family relations, financial responsibilities, changes in social life, exposure to new people, ideas, temptations, awareness of sexual identity and preparing for life after graduation.
If you are depressed, you are not alone. The incidence of depression among college students has increased by 4.6 percent between 2000-2004. Depression can be caused by a variety of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors, but also may occur for no apparent reason.
The three most prevalent types of depressive illnesses include major depression, dysthymia and manic-depressive illness. The symptoms of major depression include but are not limited to sadness, anxiety, "empty" feelings, decreased energy, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, sleep disturbances - such as insomnia or sleeping too much - appetite and weight changes, feelings of hopelessness and guilt, thoughts of death or suicide, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, irritability or excessive crying and chronic aches and pains not explained by another physical condition.
Dysthymia involves long-term chronic symptoms that are less severe, but may keep you from functioning at your full ability. In the manic-depressive illness form of depression, the individual struggles with feelings of depression and mania. Although it is normal to have some symptoms of depression some of the time, five or more symptoms for two weeks or longer or other changes in usual functioning should be evaluated by a health or mental health professional.
Unbearable psychological pain is often associated with those who attempt or commit suicide according to the University of Florida Counseling Centers Web site. People consider killing themselves when they lose hope of stopping this pain. If there is an immediate emergency regarding a student harming himself or others, call the USA campus police immediately. If you are on campus, dial 511 or 460-6312. If you are not on campus, dial 911 immediately.
There are some steps you can take to help a student in need. First, listen to the student. Whether or not you know how to fix the problem, show genuine concern for the student and validate his or her feelings. Encourage hope for the future, and advise seeking professional help, or perhaps give him or her the counseling center's phone number.
It is suggested that if you know someone who is contemplating suicide try to talk to him or her openly about their feelings without judgment or shock, and without encouraging them to "will away" their feelings. You can offer to make the call to the counseling center yourself, and give the student the phone once you have dialed the number.
http://www.usavanguard.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/06/42542c55598a8
Contributing Writer
April 06, 2005
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students and the third cause of death among those 15-24 years of age according to the National Institute of Mental Health. According to a national survey, 9.5 percent of college students thought seriously about committing suicide and 1.5 percent reported attempting suicide.
Suicide claims more lives than homicide in the U.S. Since January of 2003 there have been five attempted suicides at the University of South Alabama that have been reported to campus police. It is imperative that students know free help is available to them through the USA Counseling and Student Health Services.
Depression can be successfully treated by a mental health professional with counseling, medication, or a combination of both. Unrelieved symptoms of mental health problems, especially depression, can be linked to students who are at risk to attempt suicide.
According to Dr. Clark of the USA Counseling Center, simply "being a college student is stressful." Common stresses of college life include greater academic demands, being on your own in a new environment, changes in family relations, financial responsibilities, changes in social life, exposure to new people, ideas, temptations, awareness of sexual identity and preparing for life after graduation.
If you are depressed, you are not alone. The incidence of depression among college students has increased by 4.6 percent between 2000-2004. Depression can be caused by a variety of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors, but also may occur for no apparent reason.
The three most prevalent types of depressive illnesses include major depression, dysthymia and manic-depressive illness. The symptoms of major depression include but are not limited to sadness, anxiety, "empty" feelings, decreased energy, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, sleep disturbances - such as insomnia or sleeping too much - appetite and weight changes, feelings of hopelessness and guilt, thoughts of death or suicide, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, irritability or excessive crying and chronic aches and pains not explained by another physical condition.
Dysthymia involves long-term chronic symptoms that are less severe, but may keep you from functioning at your full ability. In the manic-depressive illness form of depression, the individual struggles with feelings of depression and mania. Although it is normal to have some symptoms of depression some of the time, five or more symptoms for two weeks or longer or other changes in usual functioning should be evaluated by a health or mental health professional.
Unbearable psychological pain is often associated with those who attempt or commit suicide according to the University of Florida Counseling Centers Web site. People consider killing themselves when they lose hope of stopping this pain. If there is an immediate emergency regarding a student harming himself or others, call the USA campus police immediately. If you are on campus, dial 511 or 460-6312. If you are not on campus, dial 911 immediately.
There are some steps you can take to help a student in need. First, listen to the student. Whether or not you know how to fix the problem, show genuine concern for the student and validate his or her feelings. Encourage hope for the future, and advise seeking professional help, or perhaps give him or her the counseling center's phone number.
It is suggested that if you know someone who is contemplating suicide try to talk to him or her openly about their feelings without judgment or shock, and without encouraging them to "will away" their feelings. You can offer to make the call to the counseling center yourself, and give the student the phone once you have dialed the number.
http://www.usavanguard.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/06/42542c55598a8