In 2022, 42,000 people died by suicide, and approximately 24,000 college students attempt to commit suicide every year. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. for those aged 15-29 years old.
While suicide can look different for many, there are some general symptoms of recognizing suicide ideation.
Signs include feeling empty, hopeless, anxious, irritable and depressed. Changes in usual behavior, such as eating and sleeping habits, are also common symptoms. Substance abuse, risky behavior, self-harm alongside the inability to get past life inconveniences are also components. Risk factors for suicide include previous suicide attempts, trauma, bullying, stress, social isolation, connection to someone who has committed suicide, history of depression and other mental health illnesses.
Carol Stilwill, a Clinical Supervision Manager at UTSA, Licensed Professional Counselor and UTSA alumni, had the following to say in an interview with The Paisano.
Q: What can you do to help someone contemplating suicide?
A: “Look for the signs that someone may be suicidal. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they are suicidal; this can potentially get them to talk about it and consider the fact that they need to seek help.”
Q: What is one of your most prominent experiences with suicide?
A: “The use of overgeneralizing and catastrophic language such as ‘nobody loves me’ and ‘I am all by myself.’”
Q: From a counselor’s standpoint, what would you do for someone that is experiencing suicidal thoughts?
A: “Emphasizing the reduction of means and asking the question ‘If you were to kill yourself, how would you do it?’ I believe that all parents should be aware that it is possible at one point that their child has had suicidal thoughts.”
UTSA offers free wellness services for all registered students. Some of the services include recovery, survivor advocacy, psychiatry and counseling. Alongside the mental health services, Wellness 360 offers a number of free primary care health services for students. UTSA also hosts a mental health resources webpage at utsa.edu/mental-health-resources/. This page includes a list of UTSA-hosted as well as national resources for students and staff.
Other resources include 988: the national suicide hotline, and the crisis textline. To access the crisis text line text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 free confidential support.
The negative connotation of suicide is due to the association with weakness. To destigmatize suicide, it is important that the topic is discussed regardless of how heavy the topic may be. Thousands of families are affected every year in the United States. It is never too late to seek help or offer support to those in need.
