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TEXAS A&M

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

THROUGH UNITY, STRENTH

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING AFSP TO SUPPORT THE TEXAS A&M MOTTO WITH OUR LIFESAVING PROGRAMS!

afsp.org/southeasttexas

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afsp.org/southeasttexas

Texas A&M in partnership with

AFSP Southeast Texas

42

1075

36

3650

Particpants to the programs

Education programs delivered

Trained presenters on campus

Resources shared on campus during fairs

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afsp.org/southeasttexas

AFSP & Texas A&M University

Mental Health and Suicide

Resource Fair February 2025

Talk Saves Lives

for RA staff August 2024

Suicidal Awareness Month

Resource Fair September 2025

Suicidal Awareness Month

Resource Fair September 2023

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afsp.org/southeasttexas

Texas A&M University- Galveston

Volunteer Fair

October 2025

NotAnotherAggie event

September 2024

Health Fair

Januray 2026

Health Fair

September 2023

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Thank you

Katy West Houston Aggie Moms' Club

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Just like physical health, we all have mental health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The brain plays a big role in our mental health, as do many other factors.

[Optional activity: Ask the audience, “what does mental health mean to you?” They can respond out loud or in the chat box. Highlight the responses that emphasize we all have mental health, mental health affects how we think, feel and act, and that mental health is not always referring to a mental health condition]

Research shows that most people who die by suicide have a mental health condition at the time of their death. It may or may not have been recognized by the person or their loved ones, and it may not have been diagnosed or adequately treated.

That said, research has also made clear that mental health conditions are not the whole story. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health condition, and most do not go on to die by suicide.

Today, we will learn more about the role of mental health in suicide prevention, and how to be proactive about taking care of our mental health. We will also discuss other factors that may contribute to suicide risk.

Sources:

Bertolote, J. M., & Fleischmann, A. (2002). Suicide and psychiatric diagnosis: a worldwide perspective. World Psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association, 1(3), 181–185.

Chesney, E., Goodwin, G. M., & Fazel, S. (2014). Risks of all-cause and suicide mortality in mental disorders: a meta-review.World psychiatry: official journal of the World Psychiatric Association, 13(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20128

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The focus of this talk is on helping individuals learn how to identify warning signs in themselves or others and ways to help themselves and those in crisis. However, it’s important to know that a robust public health strategy is required for suicide prevention. This includes:

Implementing suicide prevention education and health promotion in all settings, from healthcare, to schools and workplaces
Changing social and cultural norms to decrease stigma and encourage help-seeking
Identifying selective and targeted prevention strategies backed by research
Increasing access and awareness of effective treatment for mental health conditions like depression or anxiety and for addressing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and the importance of receiving support throughout recovery
Advocating for health, economic, educational, and social policies that help to reduce inequalities between groups in society and advance mental health care in underserved communities

AFSP supports work across these various strategies with the goal of creating a culture that effectively addresses suicide prevention.

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How we talk about suicide matters. It is important to model appropriate language so that we do not perpetuate the stigma associated with suicide.

Avoid referring to suicide attempts as “failed” or “successful.” These words imply judgment. We also avoid the phrase “committed suicide” as it has a negative connotation. Instead, use phrases like “died by suicide”, “ended their life”, “death by suicide" or “suicide attempt”.

Terms used to describe individuals who have lost someone to suicide include "suicide loss survivor", "survivor of suicide loss", "suicide bereaved", and "bereaved by suicide". When referring to a person who has made a suicide attempt or has struggled with suicidal thoughts, we describe them as someone with "lived experience". When someone has made a suicide attempt, we might also say they are a suicide attempt survivor.

It is also important to avoid sharing graphic details about suicide methods since this can be activating to those who struggle and can cause contagion. We also avoid minimizing suicide to one single reason or cause, since many converging factors play a role in suicide. We will discuss this further in this presentation.

When suicide is talked about safely and accurately, we can help reduce judgement and stigma around suicide and encourage people at risk to seek help.

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Mental health problems frequently onset during the teen years and suicide rates start to increase in late teens – a time when many young adults begin their college journey. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Data from the American College Health Association shows that nearly half of college students report feeling overwhelmed by the demands of college life. This major life transition can present significant changes as students adjust to new academic and social environments. Common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, and substance use problems including increased alcohol and drug use, increase the risk of suicide. Unaddressed mental health conditions and substance use problems can also lead to increased risk. College students often face barriers to accessing mental health care, such as lack of awareness of available resources, long wait times for counseling services, and the stigma of seeking help. Without proper treatment, both mental health and substance use disorders can worsen, leading to an increased risk of suicide.

Overwhelming stress related to finances and academic pressure is a contributor to suicide risk. College students, especially those who move away from home, may experience social isolation from being away from their friends and family, a lack of belonging, and difficulty building new connections, often leading to loneliness. Other contributors to suicide risk among college students include relationship problems like going through a break-up or experiencing dating violence. Identity struggles and experiences of discrimination among college students, particularly those possessing one or more socially marginalized identities (e.g., minoritized sexual orientation and gender identity, minoritized race/ethnicity) can increase suicide risk. However, protective factors such as building strong relationships with peers and mentors, taking proactive steps to care for physical and mental health, and utilizing on-campus mental health resources can help reduce the risk of suicide. Many colleges continue to improve access to these resources and foster a supportive environment for students.

Sources:

American College Health Association. (2024). NCHA-IIIb Spring 2024 Reference Group Executive Summary (p. 14). https://www.acha.org/wp-content/uploads/NCHA-IIIb_SPRING_2024_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf

Horwitz, A. G., et al. (2020). Variation in suicide risk among subgroups of sexual and gender minority college students. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 50(5), 1041–1053. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sltb.12637

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). College students. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Teens-Young-Adults/College-Students

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Suicide prevention for college students. https://www.nami.org/suicide/suicide-prevention-for-college-students

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