Suicide
"Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age students, the first being automobile accidents."
Tragically, this statistic is sobering. When students leave behind familiar community and family support systems and find the new environment to be demanding, stressful and lonely, they may be at higher risk for depression and suicide. This experience is unique to college students and mixed with the pressure of grades and expectations, students can feel isolated and boxed in with no way out. In fact, most people who attempt suicide are ambivalent about dying, but really want their emotional pain to end. It is a permanent solution to a likely temporary problem.
Many times, survivors of attempted suicide express relief that their attempts failed and are grateful to those who have helped to prevent them from following through. Unfortunately, many loved ones left behind after a suicide are blindsided by the event. Learning how to identify the warning signs of suicide and how to react, could save someone's life.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or know someone who might be in danger of harming themselves, please call the Student Development and Counseling Center ext. # 5540 or walk down to 157 West St. (off institute Rd. across from the bridge). If it is after hours (8am-5pm), call campus police ext. 5555 and they will notify the on call emergency contact person.
Warning Signs
Is this an emergency?
If the following are present you should contact Campus Police for assistance at #5555.
- A person has stated that they intend to kill themselves
- There is a plan on how they will do it
- There is a means to do it. For example, they have access to pills, sharp objects, a weapon, or possibly a high
While most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Learn to recognize depression; the more significant the expression of the symptoms the more at risk someone may be.
- insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Significant loss or gain in appetite
- Significant loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
- Decreased sexual drive
- Speaking and/or moving with unusual slowness
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Diminished ability to function
The risk for suicide is heightened when depression is accompanied by any of the following:
- Severe insomnia
- Feelings of hopelessness and desperation
- Speaking of death and suicide
- Previous suicide attempts
- Extreme anxiety, agitation or enraged behavior.
- Increased alcohol and /or drug use
- Significant loss; possibly due to a death, relationship breakup or physical impairment.
- Themes of death in conversation, poetry or artwork.
- Preparing for suicide; may appear to be putting affairs in order, saying goodbye, giving their belongings away.
- A plan of how or when they will commit suicide; the more specific the plan the more serious the intent.
How to Help someone who may be in danger
Message to a person considering suicide
- Take initiative. If you talk to someone about suicide it will not make them more likely to commit suicide. That is a myth. It is important that you take the initiative to ask whether they have thought about suicide and/or let them know your concerns.
- Listen. Find a place to talk where you can really listen to what the person is sharing. Don't be afraid to talk about suicide and find out whether they have a plan or method in mind. Talking about it usually provides a great deal of relief.
- Take them seriously. All suicide threats should be taken seriously. 75% of all suicides give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.
- Do not attempt to argue someone out of suicide. Let the person know you care and understand what you have heard. You can say that he/ she are not alone and there is hope that these feeling will end with help.
- Seek professional Help. Actively encourage the person to talk with a counselor or health professional. Many times individuals contemplating suicide don't believe they can be helped so you may need to do more. For example, go with them to meet with a counselor or help to set up an appointment. You may also need support. Speaking with a counselor can help you through these difficult steps. The Student Development and Counseling Center, ext. #5540, is open 8am- 5pm, Monday - Friday. You do not need an appointment in the event of such an emergency. If it is after hours, call campus police ext.5555.
- Never promise to keep it a secret. Never tell a person contemplating suicide that you will keep it a secret. Simply tell them that you are not able do this because you truly care about them and their well being is too important to do so.
- Remove dangerous objects. Remove any firearms, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt. Let them know that you want to help keep them safe. They can assist you in walking around their room(s) and locating unsafe objects.
- In an acute crisis do not leave them alone. In a crisis situation where it is clear the person has the intention to kill themselves, take them immediately to the Student Development and Counseling Center for an evaluation. However, it is important that you do not leave them alone for any amount of time. If you need assistance dial 5555 for campus police. If off campus, dial 911. The nearest emergency room is UMass Memorial Medical Center, 281 Lincoln St. Worcester, +1-508-334-1000.
Some of the information for this section was provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Related resources for Suicide and Suicide prevention
- ULifeline: is resource for Suicide prevention geared toward WPI students.
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ( AFSP) an not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention for suicide.
- Reach out: offers information on a number of topics and includes an interactive community
- The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) provides information on a number of Topics related to suicide and depression.
Last modified: June 24, 2008 14:49:55