Student Affairs Top

-- Talks about committing
suicide

-- Has trouble eating or sleeping

-- Experiences drastic changes
in behavior

-- Withdraws from friends and/or
social activities

-- Loses interest in hobbies,
work, school, etc.

-- Prepares for death by making
out a will and final
arrangements

-- Increases their use of alcohol
or drugs

-- Gives away prized possessions

-- Has attempted suicide before

-- Takes unnecessary risks

-- Has had recent severe losses

-- Is preoccupied with death
and dying

-- Loses interest in their
personal appearance

Be Aware of Feelings
Many people at some time in their lives think about committing suicide. For most, the crisis is temporary. Others perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. Often suicidal people believe they can't:

-- Stop the pain
-- Think clearly

-- Make decisions

-- See any way out

-- Sleep, eat, or work

-- Get out of depression
-- Make the sadness go away
-- See a future without pain

-- See themselves as worthwhile

-- Get someone's attention

-- Seem to get control

What to Do
Here are some ways to help someone who is threatening suicide:

-- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
-- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.

-- Don't dare him or her to do it.

-- Don't be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.

-- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.

-- Take action. Remove means (such as pills, guns, knives).

-- Don't act shocked. This will put distance between you.
-- Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.

-- Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

-- Be non-judgmental. Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. If you experience personal trauma stress during this period, you can counter the shock:

-- WITHIN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS, periods of strenuous physical exercise
     alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions.
-- Deliberately limit the time you watch television news of the event.
-- Structure your time - keep busy.
-- You are normal and having normal reactions - don't label yourself crazy.
-- Talk to people - talk is the most healing medicine.
-- Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol. You don't need to
     complicate this with a substance abuse problem.
-- Reach out - people do care.
-- Keep your life as normal as possible.
-- Spend time with others.
-- Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how
     they are doing.
-- Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others.
-- Keep a journal. Write your way through those sleepless hours.
-- Do things that feel good to you.
-- Realize those around you are under stress.
-- Don't make any big life changes.

2. Managing your everyday stress is very important in this time of excess stress:

-- Take care of yourself - Sleep and eat regularly, exercise, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption; make sure to play in some way every day.
-- Find some people who will support you - talk about things that affect you, listen to your friends, laugh with people, and ask for help when you need it.
-- Slow down internally - Notice what you say to yourself, do one thing at a time, concentrate on the present (e.g., savor your food, notice the sun, really listen), and breathe.
-- Alter your daily schedule - Start each day in a leisurely manner rather than rushing. Find a time of day to totally relax.
-- Assess your work/study habits - Prioritize activities, schedule time for relaxing, prepare more for tests and practice relaxation just before exams.

3. Making daily decisions will give you a feeling of control over your life, which counteracts feelings of helplessness and hopelessness:

-- Decide what to wear each day -- Decide how to spend your time

-- Decide what to eat and when to eat

Who To Contact:

-- A community mental health agency - Moundbuilders - 522.8477
-- A private therapist or counselor
-- A family physician
-- A suicide prevention or crisis center
-- OSUN/COTC Counseling Service - 366.9464

Additional Places to Contact for More Information Regarding Suicide:

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
421 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 408
Washington   DC   20008
Phone: 202.237.2280
e-mail: ssilive16@ixnetcom.com
web: www.suicidology.org
SA/VE-Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education
7317 Cahill Road Suite 207
Edina MN 55439
Phone: 612.946.7998
FAX:    612.829.0841
e-mail: save@winternet.com
web:   www.save.org

National Hotline
Phone: 800.784.2433 or 800.SUICIDE

The Compassionate Friends (for parents who have lost a child)
PO Box 3696
Oak Brook IL   60522-3696
New York   NY   10001
Phone: 630.990.0010
Phone: 877.969.0010
FAX:   630.990.0246

Dealing with the Stress of Traumatic Events
Strategies for Those Affected

Many people experience extreme reactions to a traumatic event. At this time, intense feelings may be stimulated. They can be associated with current events, past memories and associations, as well as thoughts of the future. Individuals may experience a range of reactions either due to internal conflicts and confusions, or due to this event or such events in general. This can create stress.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an innovative clinical treatment that has successfully helped over a million individuals who have survived trauma, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, combat and crime. Also, EMDR has helped those suffering from a number of other complaints, including depressions, addictions, phobias and a variety of self-esteem issues. Contact the personal counselor to set up time to discuss EMDR treatments.

Below are some of the stresses you might experience and some ideas on how to manage stress.

STRESS REACTIONS
Over the next several weeks you may experience normal reactions, which may include:

Physical Reactions

-- Fatigue
-- Nightmares
-- Hyperactivity
-- Startle reactions
-- Impulsive behavior -- Sleep disturbances
-- Self medication-substance abuse
-- Headaches
-- Health problems: changes in appetite,
     tense muscles, and digestive
     problems.

Cognitive Reactions

-- Difficult concentrating
-- Memory disturbance
-- Difficult problem
     solving -- Difficulty making decisions
-- Intrusive thoughts
-- Inability to attach importance to
     anything else

Emotional Reactions

-- Fear
-- Emotional numbing
-- Lack of emotion
-- Guilt
-- Anger -- Anxiety
-- Helplessness
-- Depression
-- Loss of control

These are normal reactions and, although painful, are part of the healing process. There is not a lot anyone can do to make you not experience these uncomfortable feelings, but there are things you can do to feel more whole.

Welcome to Counseling Services

Crisis Services

Understanding and Helping the Suicidal Person

Be Aware of the Warning Signs
There is no typical suicide victim. It happens to young and old, rich and poor. Fortunately, there are some common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives. Some signs to look for include:

Welcome to Counseling Services

Crisis Services

Understanding and Helping the Suicidal Person

Be Aware of the Warning Signs There is no typical suicide victim. It happens to young and old, rich and poor. Fortunately, there are some common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives. Some signs to look for include:

Be Aware of the Warning Signs
There is no typical suicide victim. It happens to young and old, rich and poor. Fortunately, there are some common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives. Some signs to look for include: