51Ç鱨վ

At 51Ç鱨վ, Cassie Glenn, Assistant Professor of Psychology, and the Office of Counseling Services (Dr. Nancy Badger and Dr. Angela Holley) are actively working on a campus-wide suicide prevention strategy, needed especially during COVID-19. The number of college students with psychological problems is increasing each year, and these rates have increased significantly during COVID. Top presenting concerns among college students include depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and stress (American College Health Association National College Health Assessment). Alarmingly, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

51Ç鱨վ is actively engaging in a range of suicide prevention efforts with support from a Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This Campus Suicide Prevention Grant uses a public health approach to build sustainable infrastructure at 51Ç鱨վ to enhance mental health service provision, improve campus-wide mental health-related attitudes, and reduce college student stress, substance abuse, and suicide risk. For instance, Monarchs THRIVE is 51Ç鱨վ's mental health social norms campaign that focuses on spreading awareness about mental health and suicide, normalizing conversations surrounding these topics, and promoting available resources and encouraging help seeking among students.

Here are some tips to help 51Ç鱨վ's Monarchs THRIVE during this challenging time.

1. Talk about mental health. Physical distancing does not mean we are alone. Technologies such as Zoom, FaceTime, and messaging apps can help us stay connected. As you text, chat, or meet up online, . Ask your friends and family how they are coping with stress, anxiety, depression, or isolation. Talk about how you are coping. Being open about our mental health is part of how we can support one another.
2. Hear others' needs. The significant changes in the world will affect all of us differently. We can help each other by hearing others' needs. Check in with people in your support system (e.g., online or over the phone) to see how they are doing. Ask them what they need during this challenging time. Simply listening shows that we care.
3. Recognize warning signs. As we talk about mental health and hear others' needs, we also want to recognize warning signs that a person may need professional help. Persistent negative mood most days could be a sign of depression. We should also look out for warning signs that someone may be at risk for suicide. include talking about killing oneself, feeling hopelessness or like a burden to others, and feeling trapped or having no reason to live. Also recognize behaviors that might indicate suicide risk, such as increased use of alcohol or drugs, withdrawing from activities and social supports (friends and family), and engaging in "goodbye" behaviors (such as giving away prized possessions). If you recognize any of these warning signs or are concerned that someone might be thinking about suicide, . Research shows that asking people if they are thinking about suicide . Quite the opposite, it lets them know that someone cares, and it allows a chance to find help for them. If you or someone else you know is thinking about suicide, it is time to enlist help from others (see resources in #6. Enlist help from others below).
4. Invest in self-care. Self-care is essential to health. Just as we must brush our teeth regularly to avoid cavities, our thoughts and feelings will be healthier if we are proactive about our mental health. Self-care can include a range of activities that help us feel balanced and refreshed. Negative emotions thrive off of unused free time. Using our free time to do things that matter to us is part of self-care. Studying and working ahead on coursework, practicing a musical instrument, learning a new skill, playing video games, and cleaning and organizing are just a few options. Maintaining physical distancing during activities may require some creativity, such as forming an online group to play games or study, or . Listening to podcasts or audiobooks during cognitive downtime, such as when doing chores, can help push away worry. Social interaction with people who treat you well is also important. Sharing your feelings with others, journaling, or may improve your emotional well-being by improving . Mindfulness meditation has been helpful for many people to learn to accept anxiety and to understand their thoughts and feelings. Learning and practicing mindfulness is easier if you use an app, such as or .
5. Value health and wellness. During times of stress, it is important that we don't forget to prioritize our . can improve mood and immune system function. is essential for physical health, mood regulation, and clear thinking. Taking medications as prescribed is important to stay healthy and safe. During times of stress, be careful about alcohol and drugs that have negative mood effects. is particularly beneficial because it releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
6. Enlist help from others. If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or are thinking about suicide, it is important to . You are not alone. There are science-based treatments that work. These include individual therapy, group therapy, and in some cases medication. Sometimes people think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But seeing a therapist does not indicate weakness any more than seeing a doctor does. The 51Ç鱨վ Counseling Services is open and available for telephone consultation and crisis counseling (Call 757-683-4401, press option #1 to schedule an appointment, press option #2 to speak with a counselor right away). In addition, many therapists, including 51Ç鱨վ Counseling Services, are offering , which is therapy online using video conferencing software.

*If you are having thoughts about killing yourself, you should reach out for help . The : Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), Vets Press 1; 1-800-799-4889 (For Deaf & Hard of Hearing); 1-888-628-9454 (En Espanol). : Free counseling via text messaging! Text ''HOME'' to 741741.

**If you are concerned about a member of the 51Ç鱨վ community (student, faculty, or staff), you can make a referral to Student Outreach and Support.

By engaging in these behaviors, we can support one another through this challenging time and ensure that Monarchs THRIVE!

Monarchs THRIVE is an 51Ç鱨վ Campus Suicide Prevention Campaign supported by a Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant (Grant# H79SM080472) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Project Directors/Principal Investigators are Dr. Cassie Glenn (Psychology), and Dr. Nancy Badger and Dr. Angela Holley (Office of Counseling Services), with essential Psychology graduate student support from Nathan Hager, M.A., and Gabrielle Ramsey-Wilson, B.S. The view, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.