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Developing a support system: healthy caring. University Life Cafe. The challenge. Caring for others in one’s life is an important part of making life meaningful. That caring should be healthy—for both the person caring and those being cared for.
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Developing a support system: healthy caring Developing a Support System University Life Cafe
The challenge • Caring for others in one’s life is an important part of making life meaningful. That caring should be healthy—for both the person caring and those being cared for. • A person cannot help another person if it requires putting himself or herself at risk of serious harm or danger. Developing a Support System
What is “healthy caring”? • Friendly • Sincere • Mutually protective and mutually beneficial • Mutually supportive • Respective of each other’s needs and boundaries • Safe • Constructive • Typified by open communications • Non-controlling Developing a Support System
The goal • Suicide is not usually seen as a solution but as an escape from a current difficult situation, which is seen as “unbearable”. • It may be a way to attempt communicating frustration or anger or some message to others in the individual’s life; it may be a “cry for help”. It may be a misguided way to communicate deep emotion for another person. • It may be reactive to a deep, unresolved trauma. • It may be a way to see if others care. Developing a Support System
Suicidal behavior: Signs and symptoms • A loss of interest in life, a decline in appetite, a withdrawal from activities in life • The traumatic loss of a loved one • Communicating a sense of worthlessness and a disinterest in continuing to live • Expressing an intent to die, an obsession with death and / or suicide • Unhealthy peer relationships, isolationism • Worsening school performance Developing a Support System
Suicidal behavior: Signs and symptoms (cont.) • Being in an abusive (physically or emotionally) relationship • Sudden weight changes and / or eating disorders • Difficulty adjusting to gender identity • Depression • Loss of a job or achievement • Loss of self-esteem • A decline in physical health • Rejection by peers or family or significant persons Developing a Support System
Immediate interventions needed when a person… • Announces a plan to kill himself or herself • Says that life is meaningless • Self-isolates and refuses to socialize • Gives away possessions • Acts hostile or sad • Neglects his / her hygiene or appearance • Obtains a weapon or prescription medications that may be used to harm himself or herself • Writes a suicidal note • Shows an unusual calmness after a period of depression Developing a Support System
Ways to reach out • Reach out to the peer. • Ask directly about if the person is considering suicide. • Get a sense of how developed this plan may be to commit suicide. • See if this person has friends or family to turn to. • Get professional help. Developing a Support System
Connecting with professional care • Encourage the student to seek professional help and guidance. • If the student refuses, let someone in the Counseling Center know. • If there is an emergency, contact emergency services. Developing a Support System
Connection to counseling services • Counseling ServicesKansas State University232 English/Counseling Services BldgManhattan, KS 66506-6503785-532-6927counsel@k-state.edu Developing a Support System