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Suicide in Mississippi
Ranked 30th out of all the states
402 confirmed suicide deaths in 2012
292 of these were from firearms
For 1999-2010, suicide ranked:
3rd leading cause of death for ages 15-24
4th leading cause of death for ages 25-44
Student Deaths at MSU from February 2012 - August 2014
3 suicides
Here are some common signs that someone may be having emotional
troubles or even feeling suicidal:
Talking about
wanting to die or to kill themselves.
Looking for a way to kill
themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun
Talking about
feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
Talking about feeling
trapped or in unbearable pain.
Talking about being a burden to
others.
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
Acting anxious
or agitated; behaving recklessly.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
Showing rage or talking
about seeking revenge.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Be aware of feelings:
Many people at some time
in their lives think about suicide. Most decide to live because they
eventually come to realize that the crisis is temporary and death is
permanent. On the other hand, people having a crisis sometimes perceive
their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. These
are some of the feelings and thoughts they experience:
Can't stop the pain
Can't think clearly
Can't make
decisions
Can't see any way out
Can't sleep, eat or work
Can't get out of depression
Can't make the sadness go away
Can't see a future without pain
Can't see themselves as worthwhile
Can't get someone's attention
Can't seem to get control
If
you experience these feelings, get help! If someone you know exhibits
these symptoms, offer help!
Signs of Distress:
Decrease in academic
performance
Lack of motivation
Inattentiveness during class
Decrease in class preparation activities
Decrease in class participation
Increase in missed classes and/or tardiness
to classes
Increase in academic performance anxiety
Overly emotional reactions to class
discussions and/or material
Overly argumentative toward teachers and/or
other students in class discussions
Making threatening statements to teachers
and/or other students
Unclear communication and tangential
thinking
Perfectionism
Overly excessive worrying
Depressed, tearful, apathetic, or lethargic
Changes in dress and/or personal hygiene
Suicidal
Marked change in weight
Oppositional and/or aggressive behavior in
class
Difficulty making decisions and/or dependent behavior
Inappropriate or bizarre behavior
Loss of orientation to reality
Increase in irritableness and frustration
What do I do
when someone shows these signs?
TALK
with the person in private. Try to choose a place that provides a
private setting and a time when you will be able to give the person your
undivided attention.
EXPRESS
empathy and concern for the person's welfare. Focus on observable
behaviors, especially strange or inappropriate behaviors.
LISTEN
actively to the person's thoughts and feelings in a sensitive,
nonthreatening way.
COMMUNICATE
your understanding of the essence of what the person has told you.
RESPECT
the person's values and beliefs.
AVOID
judgmental statements, evaluation, or criticism.
REFER
the person to the MSU Counseling Center at (662) 325-2091. Tell the
person you will make the call and explain the situation, or offer to
walk them over to 115C Hathorn Hall and wait while they make an
appointment. Remind them that counseling is free and confidential.
If the person is acutely suicidal, do not
leave them alone. Promptly call the MSU Police Department at (662)
325-2121 and they will contact the counselor on call. The counselor will
then contact you.
FOLLOW-UP with the person and
see if he or she has followed through with referrals. Ask the person to
share his or her reactions to the referral and future plans.
If you have any
questions about someone in trouble, please call the MSU Counseling
Center (662) 325-2091. For after hours emergencies, call (662)
325-2121 and the MSU Police Dispatcher will contact the counselor on
call. The counselor will then contact you.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; McIntosh & Drapeau (2013);
MS Department of Health, Vital Statistics Report,
http://msdh.ms.gov/phs/2012/Bulletin/vr2012.pdf;
MSU Dean of Students Office;
NIMH Fact Sheet "Suicide: A Major, Preventable Mental
Health Problem"
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-a-major-preventable-mental-health-problem-fact-sheet/index.shtml;
Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/someone.aspx
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