Page 36 - Campus Security & Life Safety, May/June 2021

"Youth suicide is a growing crisis. According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death among high school youth (ages 14 to 18 years). Data from the CDC also reveals that from 2009 to 2018, suicide rates among youths aged 14 to 18 years increased by 61.7%."
Consider proactive strategies and holistic support of student mental health
Suicide Prevention
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36 campuslifesecurity.com | MAY/JUNE 2021
By Keita Franklin
A Growing Need
The pandemic has intensified concerns about student mental health and well-being. The environment of uncertainty and isola- tion created by the pandemic is elevating anxiety, depression, fear and grief in many students. Schools and universities, which are home to students for a substantial part of the day, are unique- ly positioned to play a key role in helping students struggling with these emotions, supporting student mental health and preventing suicide.
The Growing Crisis of Youth Suicide
Youth suicide is a growing crisis. According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death among high school youth (ages 14 to 18 years). Data from the CDC also reveals that from 2009 to 2018, suicide rates among youths aged 14 to 18 years increased by 61.7% from 6.0 to 9.7 per 100,000 population. In 2019, approximately one in five (18.8%) youths had seriously considered attempting suicide, one in six (15.7%) had made a suicide plan, one in 11 (8.9%) had made an attempt, and one in 40 (2.5%) had made a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment.
Suicide is also the second leading cause of death for college stu- dents, and nearly 30% of college students report having seriously con- sidered suicide in their lifetime.
Suicide Prevention in Schools
These alarming statistics point to a growing need for schools and uni- versities to implement suicide prevention policies and programs as well as strategies designed to support overall student mental health and well-being.
Recognizing this, state and federal lawmakers have enacted new
laws aimed at advancing suicide prevention efforts in schools. The National Association of School Psychologists noted that “the recent legislation has demonstrated the commitment and recognition of pol- icy makers around the importance of school-based prevention efforts; the approval for a three-digit national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system and mandated suicide prevention educa- tion for students, staff and parents.”
Suicide prevention in schools starts with training teachers, admin- istrators and other staff on recognizing the signs of suicide. The Mayo Clinic lists some of the warning signs of teen suicide as:
• Talking or writing about suicide — for example, making statements
such as "I'm going to kill myself," or "I won't be a problem for you
much longer"
• Withdrawing from social contact
• Having mood swings
• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
• Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
• Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
• Doing risky or self-destructive things
• Giving away belongings when there is no other logical explanation
for why this is being done
• Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or
agitated when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above Parents and students should also be educated to look for these signs and symptoms. Students should be aware of where they can go for help if they are struggling and what to do if they see these warning signs in a peer.