Building a Comprehensive, Sustainable Campus Suicide Prevention Program Using a Public Health Approach: A Framework for Success

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2 NASPA Mental Health Conference NASPA Alcohol, Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention Conference January Building a Comprehensive, Sustainable Campus Suicide Prevention Program Using a Public Health Approach: A Framework for Success Rosalyn Blogier, LCSW-C, Public Health Advisor Suicide Prevention Branch Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services

3 Mental Health of College Students Seven or eight suicides per 100,000 students (Drum, Brownson, and Smith, 2009) Young adults ages 18 to 25 far more likely to have seriously considered suicide in past year than adults 26 to 49 or 50 and older (Han, McKeon, and Gfroerer, 2014-in press) 599,000 college students had serious thoughts of suicide, 197,000 made suicide plans and 102,000 attempted suicide in the past year (2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Data) Suicide as the second leading cause of death among college students

4 Mental Health of College Students Anytime in the past 12 months: 59.6 percent felt very sad 31.3 percent felt so depressed it was difficult to function percent felt overwhelming anxiety percent felt overwhelmed by all they had to do percent felt very lonely. Source: American College Health Association 2013

5 Suicide Concerns on College Campuses In 2013, anytime in the past 12 months: 5.9 percent intentionally injured themselves 7.4 percent seriously considered suicide. 1.5 percent attempted suicide (ACHA National College Health Assessment, 2013) Students also reported that suicidal behavior was a consequence of drinking: 4.0 percent seriously thought about suicide and 1.2 percent attempted suicide (Core Institute, 2010)

6 Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grants Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Help states, tribes, and colleges/universities develop and implement youth, adolescent, and college-age prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce suicide Create a technical assistance center, Suicide Prevention Resource Center Awarded Grants: To date, 175 grants to160 institutions of higher education Current Grantees: 21 grantees in Cohort V (08/ /2014) 39 grantees in Cohort VI (08/ /2015) 22 grantees in Cohort VII (10/ /2016)

7 GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grantees

8 Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grants Allowable Activities Grant activities include: Training students and campus personnel Creating a networking infrastructure Delivering educational seminars Operating local hotlines and/or promoting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline TALK (8255) Providing informational materials Developing educational materials for families and friends

9 RESULTS Since 2005, 204,351 students, faculty, staff and family have received training or education on suicide prevention. 96% of campus trainees reported that they would intervene with someone who was suicidal. 65% of participants in trainings reported that they planned to identify at-risk youths and 58% make referrals to mental health services. (ICF 2013 Cross-Site Evaluation Annual Report)

10 RESULTS (cont.) Suicide prevention programs-larger, integrated wellness approach on campuses. Connected to violence prevention and alcohol and other drug prevention programs; Stigma has been reduced Peer training Culturally sensitive programming and materials Prevention strategies according to data collected since 2008, include 96.9 percent in outreach and awareness campaigns, 93.9 percent in gatekeeper training 68.4 percent in life skills development. (ICF Cross-site Evaluation 2013 Annual Report)

11 CONTACT INFORMATION/RESOURCES Rosalyn Blogier, LCSW-C Public Health Advisor Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Prevention Suicide: A Toolkit for High School Personnel National Suicide Prevention Lifeline