Helping Friends in Need/Suicide Prevention

As part of our commitment to the UCR campus community, the Counseling Center is offering information about depression and suicide prevention. Our hope is that the information will help raise awareness of depression and suicide at UCR and provide suggestions about how we as a community can care for each other. The staff at the Counseling Center would like to extend our support and encourage you to take advantage of our services.

The Problem of Suicide

In 1998, suicide was the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24, and the second leading killer in the college population. These statistics demonstrate the seriousness of suicide, which is often linked to untreated depression. Clinical depression affects more than 19 million adults every year. Although women suffer from clinical depression and attempt suicide more than men, men are more likely to complete the act. Any talk of suicide by a friend or loved one should be taken seriously and help should be sought immediately.

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Symptoms

Depression and thoughts of suicide can impact a person's life in many different ways. Not everyone experiences depression and suicide tendencies in the same way. Some people may have behavioral changes, while others experience physical changes.  

Depression and suicide have many common warning signs including:

• Sadness or anxiety
• Feelings of guilt, helplessness or hopelessness
• Trouble eating or sleeping
• Withdrawing from friends and/or social activities
• Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Anger

Specific signs of potential suicide include:

• Talking openly about committing suicide
• Talking indirectly about "wanting out" or "ending it all"
• Taking unnecessary or life-threatening risks
• Giving away personal possessions

Depression alone or in combination with aggressive behavior, substance abuse and/or anxiety is found in over half of all suicides. If depression is present, substance abuse, anxiety, impulsivity, rage, and hopelessness may increase the risk of suicide.

Suicide can be also be triggered by a number of things including:

• Stressful events, such as a failed exam or failure to get a job
• Crises in significant social or family relationships
• Interpersonal losses
• Changes in body chemistry
• High levels of anger or anxiety

Counseling Center
Veitch Student Center
North Wing
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521-0320
Phone: (951) 827-5531
Fax: (951) 827-2015