The University offers a service called QPR training to help prevent suicide on campuses. It teaches people to recognize the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, according to Eric Smith, director of Health Promotion and Wellness Services.
QPR is an acronym for question, persuade and refer, Smith said.
“It is the mental health equivalent of CPR and is built upon a foundation of hope,” Smith said. “Proving hope can help build a lifeline of support and keep folks from attempting suicide.”
The training is meant for any person at Auburn, Smith said.
“Our goal is to train staff, faculty and students in QPR so that they can serve as gatekeepers helping to recognize suicide clues, persuading folks to seek help and referring them to the appropriate resources,” Smith said.
India Way, SGA senator for budget and finance and senior in management, said as the Auburn Family, she believes we should all start looking out for each other.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death in teens and college students,” Way said. “Yet, it’s also one of the most preventable causes of death. So why aren’t we preventing it?”
Way said she believes people often get uncomfortable and avoid the topic of mental health and suicide.
“People don’t ask because they don’t want to know,” Way said. “If everyone would just realize they could save a life by asking a question, we would have much less than 13 suicides in the past four years at Auburn.”
Way said her personal experience with suicide has made her passionate about being a listening ear to those struggling with depression.
“I have lost a cousin and close friend to suicide and been a listening ear to many friends contemplating as well,” Way said. “I, as most people do, kept asking myself what I could have done, why I didn’t know they were struggling, if I could have prevented this.”
Way said she has read several books, picked the brains of professionals, joined foundations and taken psychology classes to help understand people and recognize the signs of suicidal thoughts.
“Through noticing the signs in a friend my senior year of high school and taking action, I realized it is possible to recognize the signs and prevent someone from taking their life,” Way said. “That is where my passion for suicide prevention awareness began.”
Doug Hankes, director of Student Counseling Services, said for colleges, approximately one suicide is completed for every 10,000 students.
“So for a campus of Auburn’s size, we would anticipate about two to three completed suicides per year,” Hankes said. “Over 1,100 college students each year commit suicide.”
Unexpected changes in behavior are the best indicators that there might be a problem, according to Hankes.
“For example, changes in hygiene, isolating from others if they are normally extroverted, no longer getting enjoyment in activities that formerly were fun, no interest in academics when they used to be very concerned about academic performance, et cetera,” Hankes said. “There are a lot of other signs and symptoms of depression.”
Way said making positive behavioral changes can make a difference.
“A little motto I came up with a few years ago is be kind, be observant, love well,” Way said. “It’s astonishing how many people you can positively affect by doing those simple things.”
There is an overwhelming stigma surrounding mental health that people need to overcome, according to Way.
“You never know when you are about to pass a student on the concourse who looks upset and may be thinking about ending their life,” Way said. “By smiling and saying hello, you may have given them just enough optimism and hope to keep going one more day.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
