Undergraduate Students’ Knowledge and Perceived Ability to Recognize Suicide Warning Signs

Presenter Information

Karly Christensen, Minnesota State University - Mankato

Location

CSU 254

Start Date

21-4-2014 1:05 PM

End Date

21-4-2014 2:05 PM

Student's Major

Health Science

Student's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Mentor's Name

Amy Hedman

Mentor's Email Address

amy.hedman@mnsu.edu

Mentor's Department

Health Science

Mentor's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Description

Suicide is a serious problem on college campuses in the United States. Among 15-24 year olds, suicide is the third leading cause of death. A study done by Drum, Brownson, Burton-Denmark, and Smith (2009), suggests that 92% of students who seriously consider committing suicide display suicide warning signs. Early detection of suicide warning signs is key. The purpose of this study is to understand college students knowledge of suicide warning signs and their perceived ability to recognize suicide warning signs among their peers. Upon a thorough literature review, the “Suicide Warning Signs Survey” was developed by the researchers to assess students’ ability to identify the warning signs of suicide according to “IS PATH WARM”. Also, the survey measures students’ perceived ability to recognize suicide warning signs if displayed by another in addition to perceived ability to help. This study has been approved by the university’s Institutional Review Board. The survey with informed consent will be distributed to students attending general education health science courses in March 2014. Results are pending. The conclusion is pending analysis of results.