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Suicide PreventionBy: Amanda Cook, J2001W Section 03

+Among college students…

…suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death.

+Suicide Prevention Programs…

• The University of Connecticut is one of the many campuses around the nation that raises awareness through a Suicide Prevention Program.

+Youth suicide on the rise…

+Participating UConn offices:

Academic Center for Exploratory Students

Cultural Centers

Center for Students with Disabilities

Dining Services

Higher Education and Student Affairs

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Office of Student Services and Advocacy

Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs

+Participating UConn offices continued:

Office of Wellness and Prevention

Parents Association

Police Department

Residential Life

Student Activities

Student Health Services

Student Union

And more…

+A campus mourns…

+Celebrities speak out against youth suicide…

Chris Colfer

Daniel Radcliffe

Lady Gaga

Neil Patrick Harris

Ellen DeGeneres

And more...

+Rutgers University…

• A candlelight vigil is held in Tyler Clementi’s honor.

+Clementi’s classmates sign condolence cards…

+Suicide rate:

Suicide affects 1,000 to 1,200 U.S. students per year.

+Suicide Awareness…

•“There are still thousands dying every year without recognition.”

• Jennifer Fox, Clinical Psychologist at UConn

+Factors contributing to youth suicide:

Cyber-bullying

Major life transitions

Newfound responsibilities

Self-discovery

Pressure for social change

Heavy academic load

And more…

+Contributing Factors…

“Whether you are a college student or not, people ages 18-24 are at the age at which people experience the onset of significant mental illness.”

Barry Schreier, Director of Uconn Counseling and Mental Health Services

+Too much stress?

• Pressure to maintain good grades can be a large contributing factor to youth suicide.

+“Survivor’s Guilt”

A phenomenon in which one will struggle with residual emotions such as guilt, confusion, and anger following the loss of a loved one.

+Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Nationally recognized as a “Best Practices” program by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

+Suicide Prevention…

• ROCK: Reach Out, Care, Know.

+Hope for the future…

+Sources:

Barry Schreier, Director of UConn Counseling and Mental Health Services

Jennifer Fox, Clinical Psychologist,UConn Counseling and Mental Health Services

Julian Murillo, UConn Alumni

Sarah Parsons, UConn Student

All photos from AP images database.