Slide 16 of 19
Notes:
IF THE PERSON IS DEPRESSED, YOU’LL WANT TO PROVIDE A LISTENING EAR AND TRY TO KEEP THEM INVOLVED IN LIFE - DOING THINGS, ACTIVITIES, EXERCISE.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK IF THEY ARE CONSIDERING HARMING THEMSELVES, AND IF SO, HOW WOULD THEY DO IT?
RATHER THAN ARGUE WITH THE PERSON, DO DISCUSS THEIR REASONS FOR LIVING AND FOR WANTING TO TAKE THEIR LIFE. PEOPLE WHO ARE SUICIDAL HAVEN’T KILLED THEMSELVES YET BECAUSE THEY ARE AMBIVALENT ABOUT IT. FOCUS ON THE STUDENT’S AMBIVALENCE. ASK, “IF YOU’VE BEEN
DISCUSS COPING STRATEGIES - WHAT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST?
NEGOTIATE A “NO SUICIDE” AGREEMENT..
DON’T TRY TO DEAL WITH THIS ON YOUR OWN. GET OTHERS TO HELP - YOUR RECTOR, THE ROOMMATE, CAMPUS MINISTRY, OR UCC. REMEMBER - YOU CANNOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIONS OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, BUT YOU CAN ASSIST HIM OR HER IN MAKING A POSITIVE DECISION
