{"383221":{"#nid":"383221","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Learning to See Signs of Distress","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFaculty and staff may be some of the best people on campus to identify students who are struggling or considering suicide. But often they may not know what to look for or how to help.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor anyone with student interactions on campus, one option for becoming well-versed in suicide prevention is through specialized training offered by the Counseling Center.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELacy Currie, licensed psychologist and coordinator of suicide prevention and crisis response, provides Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training on an individual or group basis to any students, faculty, or staff who are interested.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;This is the most widely used gatekeeper training across college campuses,\u0026rdquo; Currie said. \u0026ldquo;It teaches individuals how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, talk to someone who is at risk, and refer them to get help.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESome general signs to look for that a student may be distressed include uncharacteristically poor preparation or performance in class, excessive absences, disruptive behavior, changes in physical appearance or hygiene, irritability, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, and talking about death or dying.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor those who are concerned about a student, Currie recommends taking the time to have a one-on-one conversation as a first step.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;One of the most important things we can do to help those who are in distress or at risk for suicide is to take the time to talk with them, provide a listening ear, and refer them to get help,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Check in with the student, express your concern, and listen to what is going on.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn providing training about suicide prevention, Currie also aims to dispel myths \u0026mdash; one being that talking with someone about suicide will put the thought in his or her head.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I want students, faculty, and staff to know that this is not true,\u0026rdquo; she said. \u0026ldquo;Talking with someone about suicide opens up communication, lowers anxiety, and is almost always met with relief.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFaculty or staff members who are uncomfortable having this kind of conversation, or are unsure if it is appropriate, are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center by phone or consult with a counselor in person before taking action. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services (Flag) Building.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Office of the Dean of Students also provides an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/referral.studentlife.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Eonline referral form\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for those who are concerned about a student. The Office of the Dean of Students follows up on every referral submitted. In cases where a student needs immediate attention, a staff member can walk the student to the Counseling Center in the same building.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPerhaps most important is that action is taken when faculty or staff encounter a student who may need assistance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;An important part of this discussion is talking to the student about the resources available and creating a plan of action for the student to seek help as needed,\u0026rdquo; Currie said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Counseling Center offers numerous options to meet student needs, including individual counseling, group psychotherapy, couples counseling, career counseling, assessments for learning disorders and ADHD, follow-up consultations, crisis response, and a series of life skills workshops to address common student concerns.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Counseling Center offers other more generalized training outside of the QPR Gatekeeper curriculum, as well as a 5-minute video on its website for faculty and staff about identifying students at risk. They also take requests for workshops from campus groups.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMental health has been top of mind for Tech students recently, with a student-organized vigil and town hall that took place Feb. 17.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPresident G.P. \u0026ldquo;Bud\u0026rdquo; Peterson convened a Mental Health Task Force in May 2013 that delivered recommendations in October of that year. Many of those recommendations have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented, including the creation of a Center for Community Health and Wellbeing that will come to fruition later this year.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Suicide Prevention Training Prepares Faculty, Staff to Help Students in Need"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor anyone with student interactions on campus, one option for becoming well-versed in suicide prevention is through specialized training offered by the Counseling Center.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For anyone with student interactions on campus, one option for becoming well-versed in suicide prevention is through specialized training offered by the Counseling Center."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2015-03-02 12:01:49","changed_gmt":"2017-09-22 13:40:00","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2015-03-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2015-03-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/counseling.gatech.edu\/","title":"Counseling Center"},{"url":"https:\/\/referral.studentlife.gatech.edu\/","title":"Student Referral Form"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.news.gatech.edu\/2015\/01\/06\/tech-establishes-center-community-health-and-wellbeing","title":"Tech Establishes Center of Community Health and Wellbeing"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.news.gatech.edu\/2013\/11\/11\/mental-health-task-force-releases-report-president","title":"November 2013: Task Force Releases Report to President"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1020","name":"counseling center"},{"id":"1506","name":"faculty"},{"id":"10343","name":"mental health"},{"id":"167018","name":"staff"},{"id":"167239","name":"suicide prevention"},{"id":"2661","name":"training"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kristen.bailey@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKristen Bailey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}