CRISIS INTERVENTION
&
SUICIDE PREVENTION
RA Training Fall 2009
Bernadette Peters, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Licensed Psychologist
Counseling Services
s
Why Learn about Crisis Intervention?
Scary but Real
 According to a 2007 study by the American College Health
Association, 43% of students reported having felt "so
depressed it was difficult to function" at least once in the
prior year.
 Other studies, based on student surveys, suggest that 1 in 5
undergraduates reported having an eating disorder, 1 in 6 had
deliberately cut or burned himself and 1 in 10 had considered
suicide.
 Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a
person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others,
and daily functioning.
An Emotional Crisis can Lead to 
• SUICIDE
Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death
for college students.
Someone dies by suicide every 16-18 minutes in
the United States. An attempt is estimated to be
made once every minute.
Every day, approximately 80 Americans take
their own life, and 1,500 more attempt to do so.
There are approximately 24,000 suicide attempts
annually among US college students between 18
and 24 years old
1,100 are completed
Suicide Intervention
Purpose
• Suicidal behavior is the most frequent mental
health emergency. The goal of crisis intervention
in this case is to keep the individual alive so that a
stable state can be reached and alternatives to
suicide can be explored.
Lower distress &
chances of living
Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Br-Del/Crisisintervention.html#ixzz0Okw4vVS0
How??
College Student Population
There is an increase of college students with
psychiatric disorders
Highest rate in seniors (undergraduate)
Higher rate among graduate students
90% of suicides are associated with mental illness
Males die by suicide more than females, but females
attempt more often
Why??
Suicide & Race/Ethnicity
• American Indian/Alaskan Native male adolescents
have the highest suicide rate.
• Highest rates (per 100,000 people):
– American Indian and Alaska Natives — 15.1
– Non-Hispanic Whites — 13.9
• Lowest rates (per 100,000 people):
– Hispanics — 4.9
– Non-Hispanic Blacks — 5.0
– Asian and Pacific Islanders — 5.7
(CDC, 2006). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) :
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars
The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation
Mental Health Topics
College Student Suicide
How do you
Half of Us
•Talk to that person
•Persuade them that they could use some help
•Help them get that help
•Follow-up
•Notify your supervisor
Counseling Is….
When I am around someone who
is emotional, I….
Counseling Is….
A process of self-exploration and discovery that usually
happens by way of a dialogue between two people.
Counseling can help people …
Identify negative or illogical thinking patterns & other
factors that contribute to difficulties
Explore learned thoughts and behaviors that create or
maintain problems
Regain a sense of control and pleasure in life
Find solutions to life’s problems
Discover personal strengths to overcome problems
Counseling takes courage to address problem areas and painful
feelings. Entering counseling is the first step in resolving difficulties
and initiating the healing process…
When I am around someone
who is emotional, I….
Find out what is wrong and how I can help
Get my supervisor if the situation requires
this
Work within my own comfort zone while
doing what I need to as my job as an RA
dictates
Check in with myself and get support, if
needed
Counseling Services
Tom McDermott, LMHC, NCC- Director
Bernadette Peters, Ph.D.- Assistant Director/Licensed
Psychologist
Monica Romeo, LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Morgan Brooks, Ph.D.- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Maria DiNardo, M.S. – Graduate student intern
Emily Bennett, B.A. – Graduate student intern
Isabel Molina, PMHNP-BC – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Kathy Palazzo- Office Coordinator
Counseling Services
Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
716.286.8536
NU Counseling Services
LL- Seton Hall
24/7 on call consultation service
Counseling Services
On Campus Emergencies After Hours
and On Weekends:
For on-campus emergencies that occur after
hours and on weekends, Counseling Services’
staff is available for consultation by contacting
Campus Safety at 286-8111 or GRD/RD/RC.
Students may also directly contact Niagara
County Crisis Services at (716) 285-3515.
Counseling Services
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship Concerns
Eating Disorders
Substance abuse and Dependence
Childhood Abuse
Rape/Sexual Assault
Anger Management
Stress Management
Support for a friend
Family Problems
Death of a loved one
Health Problems
Sexual Orientation concerns
Behavioral Signs
 serious grade changes
 very emotional
 special attention
 new or regularly occurring behavior that pushes the limits of
decorum
 dramatic weight loss
 agitated
 highly disruptive behavior
 inability to communicate clearly
 loss of contact with reality
 overtly suicidal thoughts
 homicidal threats
Other Signs
 he/she looks upset
 isolates
 sleep problems
 you notice drastic behavior changes
 he/she tells you something is wrong
 friends are concerned
Facebook, etc- status is alarming (e.g., soon it will be over)
Help Yourself
Talk with someone
Recognize that it can be very difficult to see someone
in distress and have to intervene
Seek your own support
Do your best to consult appropriately, but realize you
are not responsible for student’s actions
Remember- do not burden yourself by taking on
inappropriate responsibility
Scenario
You get a knock on your door at 1am from Tasha, a female
student on your floor who is concerned about her
roommate. She tells you the roommate, Carly, is acting
highly emotional, crying a lot, and not making a lot of
sense. Tasha attempted to ask Carly what is wrong but did
not get a good answer from her and came to you because
she does not know what else to do.
As the RA, what do you do?
Scenario- Part II
Carly appears extremely sad and depressed and has
cried most of the 30 minutes you have been talking
to her. She tells you that her boyfriend of 3 years
just broke up with her unexpectedly and that she
called her sister who she usually confides in who
told her simply to “suck it up.” Carly states that she
does not see “the point” if she no longer is in a
relationship with her boyfriend, who she had
planned to marry after graduation.
What you should do
Always go and talk to the student of concern
Be prepared to ask questions & listen
Ask about his or her intentions regarding living- if
you can’t, get someone who can
Are you thinking about killing yourself?
Do you want to die?
Are you considering suicide?
If you have ANY doubt about the person’s safety, get
the senior staff member on call
Please talk with Counseling that day or next morning
to let us know about the situation
The Truth About Suicide
Video- The Truth about Suicide: Real stories
of Depression in College (27 min)
Film includes people who have been
personally touched by student depression and
suicide
May evoke strong personal reactions
Key points to Remember &
Utilize:
Know what services are available
Recognize signs and take them seriously
Know how to approach and manage students in
distress – and know when you need to get help
Know your role and work within your limits
Please remember you are not alone and help is
available (for you too). Always consult!
Put critical numbers in your cell phone
Numbers to have on hand (aka, in your
cell phone!)
Niagara County Crisis Services: 716.285.3515
Niagara County RAPE Crisis Services:
716.285.3518
Niagara University Campus Safety: 716.286.8111
Niagara University Counseling Services:
716.286.8536
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1.800.784.2433
The On-Call Phone: 716.799.4896
Questions?
Concerns?