The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention’s Objective 4.3 calls for increasing “the proportion of colleges and universities with evidence-based programs designed to address serious young adult distress and prevent suicide” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2001, p. 66). The NSSP call attention to universities because college students are at risk for suicide. About 1100 college students die by suicide each year. (National Mental Health Association [NMHA] & The Jed Foundation [JED], 2002). Campus counseling centers have reported increase demand and shifting needs of students seeking counseling services (Kitrow, 2003). To address these issues, College administrators need to be educated about implementing sound mental health policies on their campuses.
College Student Mental Health and the LawThe Jed Foundation recently published a report, Student Mental Health and the Law: A Resource for Institutions of Higher Education. New York, NY: The Jed Foundation, 2008. This report shares important information regarding student mental health issues, college judicial codes, and the legal system. This resource would be great for judicial officers, campus legal teams, and division of student affairs colleagues. It can be found at http://www.jedfoundation.org/assets/TJFLegalResource.pdf
Best Practice Registry (BPR) for Suicide Prevention
The BPR is a collaboration effort between the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The BPR’s purpose is to identify, review, and disseminate information about best practices that address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Administrators may be interested in the list of SPRC Reviewed Evidence-Based Practices on this page. There is a specific category which addresses schools.
http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr/ebpp.asp#list
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Suicide Prevention Grantee Technical Assistance Meeting: Forging Our Legacy: Creating and Sustaining A Cultural Shift on Campus
This website provides copies of Power Point Presentations and handouts that were used during the training assistance meeting for college campuses which received SAMHSA grants for suicide prevention. Administrators can browse these pages to get examples of campus initiatives which received funding for suicide prevention efforts.
http://www.sprc.org/grantees/campus/2008/agenda.asp#monday
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The library has a page focuses offers of variety of tools for suicide prevention that college administrators can utilize for their campus. Examples include creating a logic model for programs, help with evaluation, and a youth suicide fact sheet.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center website contains helpful booklets and information on program evaluation for suicide prevention. Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Suicide in College and University Settings “what is known about suicide and suicide prevention among college and university students, describes a sample of current suicide prevention efforts, and recommends ways in which colleges and universities can promote mental health and prevent suicidal behavior among their students.”
http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/college_student.asp
The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation is an organization with a mission to reduce the suicide rate among college and university students, across the United States. The organization’s major initiatives are rooted in our widely-distributed “Prescription for Prevention” model that defines a comprehensive suicide prevention and mental health promotion framework for colleges and universities. Their programs, informed by both clinical and public health perspectives, target the full range of audiences who can influence college mental health, including students, colleges, politicians, mental health professionals and parents. Framework for Developing Institutional Protocols for the Acutely Distressed or Suicidal College Student.
The Jed Foundation offers many valuable resources for administrators to utilize when implementing suicide prevention programs and policies on their campus. This page offers helpful documents administrators should utilize when planning and/or updating their suicide prevention initiatives.
http://www.jedfoundation.org/libraryNews_colleges_prevention.php
Coping with Tragedy
It is important to understand that tragedies on campus affect more than the immediate individuals victims and survivors. As such, it is important for the entire campus community (administrators, faculty, staff, and students) to know how to cope in a healthy manner if a tragedy occurs. Ulifeline, in conjunction with mtvU and The Jed Foundation have compiled a helpful list of resources to help the campus community.
http://www.ulifeline.org/main/page/229/dealingwithtragedy
Guide to Helping the Emotionally Distressed Student
Stress is a natural part of life and no stranger to university students. Many students successfully cope with the realities of college life, but for some, the stressors are overwhelming and unmanageable. And, unfortunately, a small number of students will be subjected to sexual assault, discrimination and hate crimes, and sexual harassment, all of which may affect their mental health. Whatever the cause of students’ distress, the emotional and behavioral consequences are often played out on campus in classrooms, residence halls, or offices. Faculty and staff members will not be able to spot every such student, and not every student you approach will be willing to accept your assistance. Still, just by being available and ready to listen, you may play an important role in helping a student regain the emotional balance needed to cope with his or her circumstances and get back on track. To read more about how to help these students click here.