as part of Suicide Prevention Awareness MonthGeorge Mason University mental health leaders want to educate the campus community about issues related to suicide and mental health, empower the Patriots to participate in suicide prevention, help others in crises, and change the conversation around suicide.
College brings the excitement of increased freedom as well as the potential for anxiety associated with adjusting to living away from home, studying, and defining one’s identity. These stressors can act as triggers for anxiety and depression, as well as emotional distress. These feelings may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions, with enormous and potentially dangerous repercussions if help is not sought.
While COVID has begun to normalize conversations about mental health, public stigma around suicide can prevent people from getting the help they need. A dangerous myth is that asking someone about suicidal thoughts will lead that person toward behavior Jennifer Kahler, Director of Mason Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
“But that’s not the case,” Kahler said. When suicide is talked about with an emphasis on overcoming thinking and using positive, hopeful, and inspiring language, these conversations are very helpful and can prevent suicide.
Mason provides student mental health resources and suicide prevention tools through a number of resources, including MasonCARES Suicide Prevention Programa two-hour custodial program designed to train faculty, staff, and students on how to respond to individuals who may be experiencing distress and suicidal thoughts and guide them in seeking appropriate assistance through CAPS.
If someone displays behaviors like Anxiety, expressing a lack of purpose, expressing feelings of entrapment or hopelessness, not attending class or withdrawing from activities, experiencing mood swings, etc., these may be warning signs of suicide.
CAPS offers students free immediate assistance; No billing desk and no insurance required. Initial appointments are virtual, and providers work with students to figure out their preferred treatment method going forward.
Kahler added that any assistance students receive from CAPS is confidential and kept separate from academic records.
Another option for students is Mason Psychological Services CenterEvidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive treatment and testing services are provided by Mason graduate students under clinical supervision. Other services include an emotional support line and short-term intervention sessions.
One of the goals of the center is to train doctors In evidence-based treatment, which includes suicide screening. This type of treatment is very important because it helps individuals to “To become their own therapist, endowed with lifelong skills such as the ability to effectively solve problems, evaluate ideas, manage strong emotions and communicate in a way that others will listen.”
If you are concerned about your ability to keep yourself or others safe, contact CAPS on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Wednesday between noon and 4:30 p.m. at 703-993-2380.
For mental health crises after hours, call 703-993-2380 and select Option 1 to contact a crisis counselor.
Other resources for suicide prevention or mental health can be found at After-hours crisis support page.