NYASP – OMHCollege SPEAK Workshops
Peer to Peer Presentation Notes
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"Rocketship“
Guster
They’ll find it on the stairs
Politely placed it there
Been so unkind without a hint
No warning sign for them
Read my apology
Their hope of disbelief
But no denial changes things
No remedy ahead
I am not to be martyred
I am not to be worshipped
I did it not to be strong, strong, strong
I implicate no others in this crime
I’m off on a rocketship prepared for something new
I’m off on a rok-it-ship ecstatic with the view
I am scared of the things upcoming
And I want for the things I don’t have
Cannot stand to be one of many
I’m not what they are
We'll gather in my name
The morning will begin
It's all or nothing over there
It's teasing me again
I am not to be martyred
I am not to be worshipped
I did it not to be strong, strong, strong
I implicate no others in this crime
I’m off on a rocketship prepared for something new
I’m off on a rok-it-ship ecstatic with the view
I am scared of the things upcoming
And I want for the things I don’t have
Cannot stand to be one of many
I’m not what they are
I’m not what they are
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So let’s talk about it, College students and depression.
What emotions were evoked by the music and images?
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Slide 15
(Empower the student audience so that they feel they can make a difference in a fellow peer’s life)
Slide 16
(Have the audience pause and think back of what some of their greatest difficulties/adjustments were when they began freshman year)
-College is often associated with students partying and having some of the best times of their lives. In reality, college students often experience a lot of distress and this can be heightened if a student feels they are alone and that no one else can identify with these feelings.
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Among 15- to 24-year olds, suicide accounts for 12.9% of all deaths annually (CDC 2005).
Some of these statistics may be alarming. Unfortunately, these figures evidence the reality that the college population is in need of preventative measures.
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Each year, there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth.
Each day, there are approximately 12 youth suicides.
Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide.
Males between 15 and 19 were 3.6 times more likely than females to complete suicide (2004 data).
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2000 AmericanCollege Health Assoc.:
1. Of the students who had seriously considered suicide, 94.8% reported feeling so sad to the point of not functioning at least once in the past year, and 94.4% reported feelings of hopelessness.
2. Of the 16,000 students surveyed, only 6.2% of males and 12.8% of females reported a diagnosis of depression. Therefore, there are a large number of students who are not receiving adequate treatment and/or who remain undiagnosed.
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Between 1999 and 2004, suicide was the third leading cause of death for Black Americans between the ages of 15 and 24.
Between 1999 and 2004, young males (ages 20-24) had the highest rate of suicide in the black population, 18.18 per 100,000.
Risk for attempted suicide in Black Americans is highest among 15 to 24 year olds. Younger generations of Black Americans are at significantly higher risk for suicide attempts.
Hispanics individuals have a higher risk overall, compared to their African American and White counterparts.
One study of Mexican immigrants emphasized the importance of culturally competent treatment, finding that many who experienced the stresses related to adapting to a new culture may be at higher risk of depression and suicidal ideation.
In Asian Americans, suicide risk increases with age. Some explanations for the increase are related to difficulties adapting to the U.S. culture. Elders are not treated with the level of respect of their native cultures and may feel burdensome. Many Asian American men who are in the U.S. without their families are isolated not just from family but also culture.
From 1999 to 2004, American Indian/Alaska Native males in the 15 to 24 year old age group had the highest suicide rate, 27.99 per 100,000, compared to white (17.54 per 100,000), black (12.80 per 100,000), and Asian/Pacific Islander (8.96 per 100,000) males of the same age
Suicide rates among American Indian/Alaskan Native adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 34 (21.4 per 100,000) are 1.9 times higher than the national average for that age group (11.5 per 100,000). (CDC 2005).
When compared with other racial and ethnic groups, American Indian/Alaska Native youth have more serious problems with mental health disorders related to suicide, such as anxiety, substance abuse, and depression.
Mental health services are not easily accessible to American Indians and Alaska Natives due to:
- lack of funding,
- culturally inappropriate services,
- and mental health professional shortages and high turnover.
Elements of acculturation - mission and boarding schools, weakening parental influence, and dislocation from native lands - undermine tribal unity and have removed many safeguards against suicide that Native American culture might ordinarily provide.
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It is interesting how some cultural differences can serve as protective factors.
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What appears to be common links between different cultures?
All cultures develop protective factors through the connection with family or other important individuals in a person’s life.
Connection with spirituality dominant in culture
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Warning signs are almost always present; we need to know what they are and how to respond to them.
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Depressed feelings are one warning sign. However, not everyone that is depressed is suicidal. Other signs and symptoms are often present. Risk factors are also important to note.
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While treatment for depression is very effective (medication and therapy), previous suicide attempts are actually a risk factor for future suicidal behavior.
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Give them contact information on where to get help.
Go to a campus counselor and notify them about the student.
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This video was produced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
(See Facilitator’s Guide for suggestions)
Suggested Discussion Topics
• On this campus, how widespread are the problems the students in the film talked
about, particularly depression and thinking about suicide?
• Several of the students in the film talked about how difficult it is to share feelings
of depression with their friends and how isolated they felt during their periods of
depression. Does that seem to be a real problem on this campus?
• Why is it that people have such a hard time talking about depression and othermental illnesses?
• How would you help a friend who is depressed or suicidal? What would you
recommend that they do?
• In the film one young man talked about having brought his depressed friend to a
counselor, and afterward the friend expressed his gratitude for this help. Would
you feel comfortable offering to accompany a friend in such a situation?
• What would you do if, unlike the depressed friend shown in the film, your friend
refused to get help?
• Kim, the woman whose younger sister died by suicide shortly after starting
college, described very painfully how she had missed what she now thinks were
signs in her sister that warned of suicide. In a similar situation, do you think youwould have interpreted her sister as being imminently suicidal?
• How does the picture of depression, mental illness and suicide portrayed in the
film compare to how they are often portrayed in movies and other media?
• In what ways did the film affect your attitudes towards mental illness and suicide?
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(Have the audience pause and think about their peers. Do some of these statements apply to anyone they know?)
(Allow for short discussion period)
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Provide specific examples in order to help students understand what these signs actually look like.
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When trying to figure out if a peer exhibits these signs. Try to remember what he or she was like when you first met them.
What specific changes have occurred?
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This is an easy way to remember some of the factors involved with suicide risk.
Ideation – does the student express thoughts of death, harming self, or plan to harm self?
Substance Abuse – use of drugs and alcohol is often associated with suicidal behavior. Drugs and alcohol are used to “self-medicate”, numb pain, escape from problems. Alters judgment and distorts problem solving when under the influence.
Purposelessness – does the student see no purpose to his/her own life, no purpose to continue living?
Anxiety – Is the student suffering from some mental health problem that is contributing to suicidal behavior?
Trapped – does the student feel “trapped,” no way out of their problems or situation?
Hopelessness – Does the student express a sense that no matter what they try to do, nothing will help them?
Withdrawal – withdrawing from friends, family, and social contact is a significant change in behavior.
Anger – Uncontrolled anger impulse is often associated with suicide. Does the student “fly off the handle” easily or have difficulty controlling their temper?
Recklessness – reckless behavior or behavior that signifies a lack of care or concern for one’s own health and safety may indicate feelings of “giving up” or “it does not matter” what happens to them.
Mood Change – Significant changes in mood, either positive or negative, are important to pay attention to. A significant deterioration in mood may signify deepening depression. However, some suicidal individuals also experience an elevation in mood because they have made the decision to carry out suicide plans and feel “relieved” that the problems will end.
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Seek out the individual- and let them know you are concerned.
Let them speak- It’s OK if you are not sure what to say. Listening with empathy alone can be of help.
Follow up-Check back to see how that person is doing. Talking with them once is not enough.
Counselor-Suggest the individual talk to a professional on campus or in the community.
Talk to a counselor-Its OK to ask a counselor for advice in how to handle a situation or prepare for an emergency.
Don’t be afraid to SPEAK out- especially in times of an emergency! Remember, confidentiality rules do not apply when a person is a danger to themselves or someone else.
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If a peer is thinking about committing suicide find out as much info as you can.
If you are roommates with a suicidal peer eliminate any medications, weapons, or poisons you think your roommate would use.
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Cover general message that resources on each campus are different but most likely similar.
Knowing where to go for mental health assistance in the campus/community is important. Contact professionals on campus to identify where to go for help.
There are also nationally run hotlines that student may want to keep on hand in their cell phones in case of an emergency.
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