Suicide Prevention at Wesleyan

About Mental Health and Suicide

For many, college is an exciting time of new experiences and independence. At the same time, these experiences can be stressful. It may be the first time that students are living on their own, having to navigate new life concerns without daily guidance from adults around them.  Such concerns cross a number of domains, including social, emotional, financial and daily living activities. With new academic and social demands, students may find it challenging to manage their daily living activities, such as eating well and getting enough sleep. Often, college is the first time that individuals are living away from their families. For students entering college with existing mental health conditions, this may be the first time they are responsible for managing their treatment plan — filling medications and scheduling counseling appointments. 

For college students who are experiencing depression or other mental health conditions, there is often help on campus — yet students may not know about it or how to access it.  Others may wait until a personal or academic crisis ensues to reach out for support. Early detection and treatment of mental health conditions is vital to students’ well-being and academic success, and more campuses are taking a proactive approach to helping college students identify support early.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among college and university students in the United States. Each year, it is estimated that approximately 1,100 college students die by suicide. In addition, many other college and university students have suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide. Because it is estimated that 90 to 95 percent of those who die by suicide have some form of treatable mental health condition at the time of their deaths, college student mental health is highly relevant to campus suicide prevention.

[Excerpt from It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]

CAPS offers suicide prevention workshops/seminars for the Wesleyan campus community.

QPR for Suicide Prevention

Become a QPR Gatekeeper!

• QPR is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment.
• QPR is intended to offer hope through positive action.
• QPR is intended to teach those who are in a position to recognize the warning signs, clues, and suicidal communications of people in trouble to ACT vigorously to prevent a possible tragedy.

Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers

• A Gatekeeper is anyone trained to recognize a suicide crisis and because of their training, knows how and where to find help.

Why QPR for Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers?

• QPR Gatekeeper training takes about 1.5 - 2 hours and is taught in a format that is clear and concise.  Gatekeepers are given information that is easy to understand and reinforced by a QPR booklet and card complete with warning signs, methods to encourage a person to get help, and a list of resources on/off-campus.

ASK A QUESTION, SAVE A LIFE!

Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructors

• Priya Senecal, M.A., LPC
• Neal Sardana, M.S., LPC

Are you interested in offering a suicide prevention training to your group?  Please click here to complete the request form, and you will receive a response from the Mental Health Educator at WesWell with next steps.  

If you have questions about QPR Gatekeeper Training, please click here to contact the Mental Health Educator at WesWell.

If you or a friend are in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call CAPS at 860-685-2910.  For additional support, you may also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.