Recognizing and supporting students in distress

Student life is a period of unique change filled with challenging events. As a member of the SFU community, you have the opportunity and ability to support students who may be struggling with issues that affect their ability to succeed in their academics and enjoy their time at SFU.

Resources for you:

Recognizing and supporting students in distress brochure
This brochure is meant to help you recognize signs and symptoms of students in distress, and provide you with tips on how to refer a student in distress for further assistance

http://depts.washington.edu/counsels/resources/4others/refer/refer.html
Some tips and techniques for referring a student in crisis

SFU's Suicide Prevention Training

In Canada, suicide ranks as the second highest cause of death (after auto accidents) amongst university-aged youth. At SFU, recent data (NCHA, 2007) indicates that 11.5% of students have been diagnosed with depression, 11.1% have seriously considered suicide, and 1.8% have attempted suicide.

University faculty and staff who work with students recognize the challenges of late adolescence, the stress associated with the transition to university and the emergence of mental health problems amongst youth aged 18-24.

SFU Health and Counselling Services provides suicide prevention training for faculty, staff, and the rest of the SFU community. Our team of suicide prevention trainers are available to provide training for large and small groups of staff, faculty and students on campus. The training session will provide suicide statistics, information on suicidal communication, proven techniques for prevention and intervention, and referral information.

How to book a Suicide Prevention Training Session:

If your group would like to receive SFU's suicide prevention training (minimum of ten participants required), please contact us at intake@sfu.ca, or 778-782-4615 (ask to speak to a mental health intake counsellor). We will work with you to set a date and time for your session that is most convenient for you and your group.

NOTE: If you are concerned about a student or staff/faculty member, please call 778-782-4615 and ask to speak to a mental health intake counsellor.