DESCRIPTION
Suicide is the second leading cause of death, after traffic accidents, among college students. For most, it’s their first time living away from home, away from the support and comfort usually provided by good friends and family members. The adjustment can be overwhelming for some students, especially those who don’t make friends easily or who have difficulty meeting the demands of challenging college courses.
A student who is experiencing severe stress, which often accompanies unrecognized or untreated mental and emotional conditions, is much more likely to engage in dangerous, even deadly behaviors, which adversely affects the institution in a myriad of ways. Most institutions already offer an extensive array of mental health resources, but students don’t take advantage for a variety of reasons, such as the stigma of being labeled as mentally ill, ignorance or misinformation about available resources, and fear of asking for help.
This webinar with Dr. Aaron W. Hughey, a professor at the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs, Western Kentucky University, will provide evidence-based best practices and related information and insights that can be used immediately by a wide range of administrators, staff, and student affairs professionals interested in responding more effectively to the needs of students with mental health and related issues.
After attending this webinar, you will be equipped to identify the common stressors that lead students to suicidal thoughts. You will understand how to prepare a blueprint for effective intervention with those students who may be suicidal.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Recognize students who are experiencing mental and emotional challenges
- Intervene effectively with students who are exhibiting symptoms of mental and emotional distress and may be considering suicide and/or violence
- Make effective referrals for students who need additional assistance
- Consult effectively with mental health and other professionals
- Intervene appropriately in situations where the students or other individuals are at risk for harm
Session Highlights:
In this program, participants will learn:
- How prevalent emotional and mental issues are among today’s college student population
- The reasons for the dramatic increase in suicides among college students over the last three decades
- Some of the common stressors affecting college students
- Basic symptomology associated with anxiety and adjustment disorders, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, antisocial behavior, and other conditions common among the college population
- How to recognize the warning signs that a student may become suicidal and/or violent and how to respond appropriately if necessary
- The role of ‘behavioral intervention teams’ in dealing with students who are behaving erratically
- A blueprint for effectively assisting students as well as mental health counsellors
Who Will Benefit:
- College faculty
- K-12 teachers
- Administrators
- Student affairs professionals
- Guidance counselors
- Special education teachers
- School attorneys
- Attorneys representing students and their families
- Parents of students with disabilities or suspected disabilities
- School psychologists
- Campus healthcare providers
- Campus mental health professionals
