The Oregon College and University Suicide Prevention Project (OCUSPP) is a joint effort by colleges and universities in Oregon to reduce suicide risk on our campuses. We believe that suicide is often preventable, and we’ve developed a multifaceted program to raise awareness on our campuses and to assist at-risk students in receiving appropriate help. Consortium members include Lewis and Clark College, Oregon Health Sciences University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Reed College, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon and University of Portland.

The consortium grew out of collaboration supported by a federal grant. In Fall 2005, the eight public universities in Oregon received a 3-year campus suicide prevention grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. In Fall 2008, we sought and obtained funding from member institutions to continue our work. We also welcomed a few private colleges and universities into the consortium so that the knowledge gained from implementing the grant could benefit a wider group of students.

Every year about ten percent of students think about suicide.  Recent research suggests that about half the student body may experience depression in college — often for the first time.  Particular risk factors for students include untreated mood disorders, relationship breakups and/or alcohol abuse.  In 2002, Oregon ranked 19th in the nation for youth suicides, ages 10-24 (Centers for Disease Control, 2004). In 1997, the CDC reported that10.3% of college students surveyed considered suicide during the previous 12 months. 6.7% actually made plans to kill themselves. If we extrapolate this data to the consortium, this would mean that 8,455 consortium students had seriously considered attempting suicide during the past year.

For the past few years, a group of staff and faculty have been educating their peers on how to recognize depression and suicide risk and how engage at-risk students in helpful conversations.  We have held two conferences on treatment for suicide.  We have published and distributed brochures for students, parents, faculty and staff.

To reduce suicide risk on campus, the OCUSPP’s multipronged effort includes the following components: 1) raising awareness among students, faculty and staff about suicide risk, warning signs and treatment resources, 2) providing training for health and mental health staff on “best practices” for identifying and working effectively with suicidal students, 3) training campus “gatekeepers” who are uniquely positioned to identify students at-risk for suicide and to refer them for professional help, and 4) facilitate the work of campus suicide task forces to develop suicide prevention and postvention plans and to reduce the means for suicide on campus.

Students are often the most effective spokespersons to reach other students to around these important issues.  By helping other students recognize the signs of depression and suicide and by encouraging help seeking, you can be part of creating a healthy and safe campus community.  There are several ways you can get involved with our project:         

Student Advisor to Oregon University Suicide Prevention Project  (3-5 advisors)

Help direct the 07-08 Awareness Campaign (6 person committee)

Co-present suicide prevention educational seminar to other students (8 presenters needed)