National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 9-15, and Lipscomb’s counseling center staff reminds students that resources are available for those who have concerns about depression, suicide or other issues.
Director of the counseling center Dr. Paul Cates, Ed.D, LMFT, LPC, said students should seek out “anyone they feel comfortable talking with,” especially faculty and staff, if they’re struggling with something.
“A pretty good percentage of the population will have periods of depression,” Cates said. “Those are situational. We have things that throw us a curve, and it takes time to work through it.
“There are all kinds of reasons why we get down, and it’s in those kinds of times that we’re going to think drastically,” he said. “And that’s a good time to go talk to a counselor or talk to somebody that you feel is a good listener who can share some experienced wisdom with you and can help you work through those things.”
Dr. Paul Cates
Cates said suicide is not as common at Lipscomb as it might be in other communities but said there have been times when he’s had suicidal clients at the counseling center. He said students should not take it lightly if they know someone who might be suicidal.
“If an individual has been thinking suicidally, that is something you take very seriously.”
To Write Love on Her Arms, “a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide,” reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention reports that women attempt suicide 2-3 times more often than men, but men who attempt suicide are more likely to succeed because they tend to use more lethal means.
“On average, there are about three male suicides for every female suicide. This is more or less consistent across different age groups and in almost every country in the world,” the organization’s website says.
Cates encouraged students to notify a faculty member if they know of someone who is severely depressed or suicidal.
“If you have a friend or roommate or whomever, who is really struggling or having difficulty, get them—bring them if you need to—to someone who can talk with them,” he said.
In addition, if someone asks you to keep a secret about their depression or suicidal thoughts, Cates said you should not keep that information to yourself.
“I have had people come [to counseling] who were really burdened down because a roommate or friend told them they were suicidal but wouldn’t allow them to tell anyone,” he explained.
“We as professional counselors can’t keep that a secret. Professional ethics say we have to do whatever we need to do to help prevent suicide or self-harm. If that’s the case for professional counselors, a friend shouldn’t feel like they have to keep that kind of secret. That’s not a secret that you keep.”
Cates also noted that talking to a suicidal friend is not going to worsen their situation.
“It’s better to talk about it,” he said. “It’s not going to increase the likelihood that somebody will commit suicide if you talk to them about it, so don’t be afraid.”
Students shouldn’t try to solve a friend’s emotional crisis on their own, Cates said.
“I have known a situation where students were having difficulty because they were trying to carry their load and someone else’s load, and it was just too much,” he said. “If a roommate or friend is talking about [suicide], get some other people involved.”
Cates said it’s important for students who are depressed or thinking about suicide to recognize that their thinking may be impaired.
“I think the big thing is that when you’re depressed, you’re not thinking rationally,” he said. “You’re not able to see the big picture. It’s sort of like you have blinders on, and you’re so focused on the problem that you can’t see all the positives. It’s important to recognize that and be able to say ‘I’m not thinking clearly. What appears to me at this point to be reality may be very distorted, so I need to talk to some folks and get a second opinion and get some people to help me think through this.’”
Resources for Lipscomb students:
The Lipscomb Counseling Center offers free counseling services to all students. The center recommends that students who have emergency needs outside of business hours seek help from their resident assistant, head resident or campus security (615.966.7600). The counseling center also recommends calling the Crisis Intervention Center (615.244.7444) at any time, and someone will “talk with you and advise you on urgent emotional concerns.”
Lipscomb’s Behavior Intervention Team is also available to students who are concerned that someone they know might harm themselves or others. To contact the team, call (615) 966-SAFE.
Students can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline any time at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). In an immediate emergency, students can also call 911.
Make a difference:
To support National Suicide Prevention Week or World Suicide Prevention Day, consider these suggestions from To Write Love on Her Arms and the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Visit this blog post: Join TWLOHA for National Suicide Prevention Week.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention suggested that those who cannot participate in a formal event should light a candle near a window at 8 p.m. on World Suicide Prevention Day (Monday, Sept. 10) to stand up for survivors of suicide and to remember victims of suicide.
Additional resources:
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Learn more about what to do if you’re considering suicide.
Schedule an appointment online at the Lipscomb Counseling Center.
Learn more about the Lipscomb Counseling Center.
Learn about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Learn more about To Write Love on Her Arms.
Learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day.
Learn more about National Suicide Prevention Week.
For more statistics about suicide or to read Dr. Cates list of things to consider if you suspect someone you know might be suicidal, click here.