Suicide Prevention
Warning signs:
- Excessive interest in books, movies or music about suicide
- Giving away prized possessions
- Loss of concern for self, activities or hygiene
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky behavior
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Comments like “I am worthless”
Actions:
- Ask them if they are thinking of suicide
- Be willing to listen
- Tell them you care and they are not alone
- Call the Counseling Center at 765-285-1736
- Call the Counseling Center nights/weekends at 765-747-7330
- Call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) National Suicide Prevention Hotline
What not to do:
- Don't assume the situation will take care of itself
- Don’t leave the person alone
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy
- Don't be shocked or surprised by what the person says
- Don’t challenge or dare or argue or debate moral issues
The closest crisis center to Ball State is A Better Way Muncie, 765-747-9107
Source: Ball State Counseling Center website and suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Editor's note: Janine Razmic is a pseudonym.
Occurrences of self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are increasing in on-campus residents.
In 2011-12, 167 instances of self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempts were recorded in on-campus housing at Ball State. The year after had 171, 2013-14 had 218 and 2014-15 had 273.
For the Fall 2015 semester, 155 instances were recorded, according to data from Alan Hargrave, associate vice president of student affairs and director of housing and residence life. But the 155 is not just a number to student and on-campus resident Janine Razmic*. In October 2015, Razmic’s roommate attempted suicide.
Her roommate survived the attempt, left campus for three days for treatment and returned to school.
Razmic said she was shocked by the attempt.
Her resident assistant told her about what had happened, because Razmic had been studying down the hall during the attempt.
Her roommate was treated at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, and was transferred to a mental health facility in Indianapolis after, Razmic said.
Of college students in the U.S., 6.6 percent have seriously considered suicide, 2.2 percent have made a plan to attempt suicide and 1.1 percent have attempted suicide, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center website.
After the incident, Razmic said she felt grief, like losing a family member. She has known her roommate since she was 12 years old.
“I was given the option to leave [rooms] right then, but I thought I would stick it out and support her, because it was like family,” she said.
In the three days her roommate received treatment, Razmic said she didn’t hear any news or updates from housing.
“I just dealt with it on my own," she said. "It was just kind of a blur. I was waiting to hear stuff and I was keeping in touch with her family members just to know what was going on, if she needed homework or stuff like that."
Razmic had an appointment with the Counseling Center the day her roommate returned from treatment. But since the initial appointment, Razmic has not been able to get counseling because of scheduling issues.
Three weeks after the incident, Razmic chose to change dorm rooms.
“When she came back, it was worse," she said. "She was kind of showing signs of being bipolar. One day she was fine, one day she wasn’t. When I knew she wasn’t, it was like she was mad at me for no reason, even though I knew I didn’t do anything at all."Razmic said she didn’t feel like the university stepped in for her or her roommate.
“She was kind of left to deal with everything on her own again," Razmic said. "Like, ‘Okay, you’re alive, you’re fine.’ You can’t just bounce back like that, and I think that’s why we had so many problems."
Kay Bales, vice president of student life and dean of students, said the university is concerned about any instances of self-harm or suicidal ideation on campus.
“[The Counseling Center] has ten therapists or psychologists that will do individual counseling with students, they have someone on-call 24/7, so if students need to talk with someone in the middle of the night, for example, we do have staff available,” Bales said.
The Counseling Center offers free group and individual therapy to students, according to their website. Bales said the Counseling Center has implemented a series of coping skill workshops available to students as well.
The Counseling Center website has information on warning signs, helping a friend who has depression or is contemplating suicide, and fact sheets and information on how to deal with a completed suicide.
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