The Campaign for McMaster UniversityThe Campaign for McMaster University

Student Counselling to Recognize “at risk” Individuals and how to Intervene Before

Violence Occurs

Phil WoodAVP Student Affairs &

Dean of Students

http://macdrphil.wordpress.com/

The Campaign for McMaster UniversityThe Campaign for McMaster University

University Student Mental Health and its Relationship to Campus Safety

Phil WoodAVP Student Affairs &

Dean of Students

The Campaign for McMaster UniversityThe Campaign for McMaster University

The Delicate Balance of Security

vs

The Provision of Help to Troubled Students

Outline

• Campus landscape

• Statistics on MH

• Suicide Prevention is Violence Prevention

• Profiling is not the answer

• Supporting Students in Difficulty

• Student Code of Conduct

Expectations of Safety and Protection

• A culture of heavily involved parents.

• University reassurances regarding safety.

• Reality that our campuses are open, accessible and vulnerable to violence.

• Examples of violence in Canada and the U.S. (e.g. VTU, NIU, Dawson College, Ecole Poly)

• Campuses are safer than cities

Sense of personal safety/security

2007

Universities with enrollment over 22,000  

University of Toronto A-

York University C+

Université de Montréal A-

University of Alberta A

University of British Columbia A-

Université du Québec A-

Concordia University A

Université Laval A

University of Western Ontario A+

University of Ottawa A-

Ryerson University B+

University of Manitoba A-

University of Calgary A-

McGill University A

University of Waterloo A

McMaster University A

Feeling Welcome

Violence• Universities are microcosms of the greater society (albeit

safer)

• Violence includes physical assault, rape, stalking, dating violence, murder

• Violence shatters the fantasy of campuses as a safe heaven

• Mental health services are under increasing pressure to identify and treat potentially violent students

• Mental illness and violence- the mentally ill are much more often the victims than the perpetrators

International Students

• May be at increased risk if: - shy - lacking social skills - lacking a support network - having language/communication problems - having financial/academic difficulties

Clinical Challenges on Campus: MH issues, violence, suicide

• Depression - rates have nearly doubled; many come to campus already in treatment and/or are on medications

• Dangerous or disruptive behaviors (disturbed and disturbing students)

• Distressed and distressing students

• Eating Disorders - about 6%

• Anxiety Disorders - 9.1 %

• Personality Disorders - socially disconnected; disruptive; distressing

• Self-destructive; self-injurious; self-harming behaviors; “cutting”

Data From 2006 American College Health Association (ACHA)

• Young Adults ages 18-24 have the highest prevalence of diagnosable forms of mental illness in the whole population at 27%

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college students (less than general population)

• 95% of college students who commit suicide suffer from mental illness, usually depression

• 9% of students report suicide ideation. 1 in 12 has made a suicide plan

• 17% of college students practice self harm• 75% of people with schizophrenia develop the disease

between the ages of 15-25

ACHA-NCHA Findings SummaryWithin the last school year have you………..

2000 2002 2004 2006

Felt Very Sad 80.6% 82.0% 80.9% 77.8%

Felt Depressed 44.4% 44.8% 45.1% 42.2%

Been Diagnosed with Depression

10.3% 11.8% 14.9% 14.5%

Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide

9.5% 10.0% 10.1% 9.4%

Attempted Suicide 1.5% 1.6% 1.4% 1.4%

2006 AUCCCD SURVEY• 9% of enrolled students seen• 16.4% re referred for psychiatric evaluation• 25% are on psychiatric medications (17% in 2000;

9% in 1994)• 91.8% believe that the number of students with

severe psychological problems has increased in recent years

• 40.1% of clients had severe psychological problems, 8.3% so severe they can’t remain in school without extensive psychological help

2006 AUCCCD Survey• (367 Campuses Reporting)• 30.5% believe that violent incidents against

students have increased over the past 5 years• 466 cases of obsessive pursuit with 129

students being injured and 10 being killed by their pursuer

• 142 suicides – only 10% current/former clients

2007 AUCCCD Survey(272 Campuses Reporting)

• 8.5% of enrolled students seek counseling• 49% of clients have severe psychological

problems• 271 cases of obsessive pursuit with 80 students

being injured and 9 being killed by their pursuer• 105 suicides – 21.8% current/former clients• Post VTU: 30.5% report policy revisions re:

communicating with parents about students

Centers Reporting an Increase of Students with Severe Psychological Problems

56%

76%82% 85%

92%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1988 1994 1997 2001 2006

• Rampage Shootings are almost always suicides – “Suicide Prevention is Violence Prevention

Pavela Report 8.7 Feb. 15/08

Suicide• Wide and lasting impact on a campus

• 2nd or 3rd leading cause of death- over 1100 suicides per year on U.S. campuses

• Students at risk: those with pre-existing mental illness and those that develop them while in college; those who lack coping and other life skills

• Less than 20% of college students who committed suicide were current or former counselling centre clients

National (U.S.) Suicide Data

• 1.3% = 13 out of every 1000 students.

• With 18 million enrolled students …– 234,000 suicide attempts every year.

– 19,500 every month.

– 642 attempts everyday.

Centre for Student Development offers suicide prevention program

by Susan BubakOctober 15, 2007

Question. Persuade. Refer. These three steps can help prevent someone from committing suicide. Staff members at the Centre for Student Development have recently completed a 10-hour self-study course in QPR, a suicide prevention program that will also be offered to those who work with students on a regular basis, such as academic advisors and peer helpers.

Waterloo Daily BulletinFriday September 14, 2007

'Fewer will die' after suicide training "Ask a question, save a life" — that's the central

teaching of a suicide prevention program that's being introduced on campus today. Its title: QPR, short for the three steps of Question, Persuade, and Refer.

• Queen’s has used MHFA with housing staff• Proposal to have a session for OCSA• Program does not teach people how to be

therapists– Recognize signs and symptoms of MH problems– Provide initial help– Guide a person to appropriate professional help

Added benefit: MHFA can help meet training requirements for regulations of AODA

• Mental Illness can become a disability

• Under Human Rights Law “disability” includes both past disabilities and perceived disabilities in addition to current ones

• A university has a duty to accommodate under the Human Rights Code

• From “The collection use and disclosure of personal information …” Hicks Morely opinion to COU

• (Discussed tomorrow)

• “creators of the Human Rights Code...did intend that universities and other institutions manage security risks without reliance on discriminatory stereotypes and without reckless disregard to the privacy of individuals.”

Should hidden mental health issues be exposed?

After recent fatal campus shootings, ASU examines whether to require students to disclose mental health histories

by Matt Culbertson published on Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Students' mental health history may no longer be private if campus safety recommendations are put into play.

ASU could begin reviewing this week whether it would be feasible and beneficial to campus safety to require students to disclose their mental health histories.

Profiling is not the answer

• “There is no accurate or useful profile of ‘the school shooter’ “

• 2003 NRC Report: Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence

Crisis Management Group• Vice President (Administration) - Chair• AVP (Student Affairs) – Co Chair• AVP (Academic) – Co Chair• Director of Security• AVP (Facilities Services)• AVP (Human resources)• Director of Public and Government Relations• Manager EOHSS

• Dean of Students• Director of CSD• Clinical Director, Psychologist• Director, Campus Health• Ombud• Director Human Rights and Equity Services• Sergeant, Crime Prevention (crucial!)• Chaplain• Coordinator Residence Life• International Students Advisor• Judicial Affairs Coordinator• AVP (Academic)

Committee to Support Students in Difficulty

Assessment of Behavioural Risk Team (ABT)• Dean of Students (Chair) • Director of Campus Health• Director of Centre for Student Development• Director of Security• others as required (Coordinator Residence

Life, Psychologist, Doctor, AVP (Acad), Psychiatrist)

Mental Health Team• One of the recommendations from VTU• Integrated services• Counselling, Psychiatrist, Student Health

(physicians), Disability Services,• Conferences weekly• Mental Health Nurse triages

Student Affairs 207Gilmour Hall Phone: 905.525.9140 Ext. 27455Dr. Philip E. Wood 1280 Main Street E. FAX: 905.524.0222Associate Vice Pres. & Hamilton, ON, Canada Email: avpstudentaffairs@mcmaster.caDean of Students L8S 4L8

http://studentaffairs@mcmaster.ca

Memorandum to Faculty Members and T.A.sFrom: Phil Wood, Associate Vice President (Student Affairs) & Dean of StudentsRe: Teaching Troubled StudentsDate: September 4, 2007

What should I do if I have concerns about a student?You will find pertinent data and general advice in this memorandum. You should also consult the Orange folder - “Connections II: Identifying and Referring a Student in Difficulty”. What’s most important to remember is that trained colleagues are standing by to help. Campus Security (Dial 88) will respond to threats of violence or any other violations of law or student conduct regulations. The Dean of Students, responsible for student conduct, is authorized to impose an immediate suspension (followed by a hearing) if a student engages in threatening or disruptive behavior. As well, mental health professionals can initiate a mandatory evaluation process or even invoke procedures to dismiss students who pose a “direct threat” to self or others.

Student Codes of Conduct• Brock University has a well developed portion

of their SCC devoted to “Students at Risk” that can lead to “Involuntary Withdrawal”

• McMaster University has recently modified its SCC to contain sections allowing for “Voluntary Withdrawal”

• University of Western Ontario is pursuing a “Safe Campus Community” approach

Conclusions• Students are the victims• We are trying to help students cope• Help us help students by keeping them safe