Crisis Services
Call during business hours: Student Life/Counseling Services 740.364.9578
After business hours for Knox And Licking counties Dial 211. All other counties Dial 911.
Limited urgent hours are available each day to speak with the therapist about a concern that you feel cannot wait. The counselor will provide phone consultation and recommend a course of action. Counseling services is an outpatient service and we do not have urgent psychiatric care; therefore, some students will be directed to a facility with greater urgent care capacities.
The therapist is trained to respond to campus emergencies such as death of a student or a disruptive campus occurrence and can be contacted directly.
Often crises occur for students when the counseling services is closed. Newark is fortunate to have several twenty-four hour crisis services available by phone. These services include Behavioral Health Center Emergency Services (740.522.8477) and the Suicide Hotline (211 or 740.345.HELP). These are excellent resources to utilize for students and concern for others.
Understanding and helping the suicidal person
Be Aware of the Warning Signs. There is no typical suicide victim. It happens to young and old, rich and poor. Fortunately, there are some common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives.
Some signs to look for include:
- Talks about committing suicide
- Has trouble eating or sleeping
- Experiences drastic changes in behavior
- Withdraws from friends and/or social activities
- Loses interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
- Prepares for death by making out a will and final arrangements
- Increases their use of alcohol or drugs
- Gives away prized possessions
- Has attempted suicide before
- Takes unnecessary risks
- Has recent severe losses
- Is preoccupied with death and dying
- Loses interest in their personal appearance
Be aware of feelings:
Many people at some time in their lives think about committing suicide. For most, the crisis is temporary. Other perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. Often suicidal people believe they can’t:
- Stop the pain
- Think clearly
- Make decisions
- See any way out
- Sleep, eat, or work
- Get out of depression
- Make the sadness go away
- See a future without pain
- See themselves as worthwhile
- Get someone’s attention
- Seem to get control
What to do:
Here are some ways to help someone who is threatening suicide:
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-fact about suicide.
- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
- Don’t dare him or her to do it.
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
- Take action. Remove means (such as pills, guns, knives).
- Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
- Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
- Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
Things to remember:
- If you experience personal trauma stress during this period,
you can counter the shock:
- WITHIN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS, periods of strenuous physical exercise alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions.Deliberately limit the time you watch television news of the event.
- Structure your time – keep busy.
- You are normal and having normal reactions – don’t label yourself crazy.
- Talk to people – talk is the most healing medicine.
- Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol. You don’t need to complicate this with a substance abuse problem.
- Reach out – people do care.
- Keep your life as normal as possible.
- Spend time with others.
- Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing.
- Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others.
- Keep a journal. Write your way through those sleepless hours.
- Do things that feel good to you.
- Realize those around you are under stress.
- Don’t make any big life changes.
- Managing your everyday stress is very important in this time
of excess stress:
- Take care of yourself – Sleep and eat regularly, exercise, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption; make sure to play in some way every day.
- Find some people who will support you – talk about things that affect you, listen to your friends, laugh with people, and ask for help when you need it.
- Slow down internally – Notice what you say to yourself, do one thing at a time, concentrate on the present (e.g., savor your food, notice the sun, really listen), and breathe.
- Alter your daily schedule – Start each day in a leisurely manner rather than rushing. Find a time of day to totally relax.
- Assess your work/study habits – Prioritize activities, schedule time for relaxing, prepare more for tests and practice relaxation just before exams.
- Making daily decisions will give you a feeling of control
over your life, which counteracts feelings of helplessness and
hopelessness:
- Decide what to wear each day
- Decide how to spend your time
- Decide what to eat and when to eat
Who to contact:
- A community mental health agency – Behavioral Health - 740.522.8477
- A private therapist or counselor
- A family physician
- A suicide prevention or crisis center
- Ohio State Newark/COTC Counseling Service – 740.366.9464
Additional places to contact for more information regarding suicide:
American Association of Suicidology (AAs)
5221 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20015
Phone: 202.237.2280
Web: www.suicidology.org/
SAVE-Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education
800.273.TALK (800.273.8255)
web: www.save.org/
National Suicide Hotline
Phone: 800.784.2433 or 800.SUICIDE
The Compassionate Friends (for parents who have lost a child)
900 Jorie Blvd
Suite 78
Oak Brook IL 60523
Phone: 630.990.0010
Phone: 877.969.0010
FAX: 630.990.0246
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Dealing with the stress of traumatic events – strategies for those affected
Many people experience extreme reactions to a traumatic event. At this time, intense feelings may be stimulated. They can be associated with current events, past memories and associations, as well as thoughts of the future. Individuals may experience a range of reactions either due to internal conflicts and confusions, or due to this event or such events in general. This can create stress.
Contact the Clinical Therapist to make an appointment. 740-364-9578
Below are some of the stresses you might experience and some ideas on how to manage stress.
Stress Reactions
Over the next several weeks you may experience normal reactions, which may include:
Physical Reactions
- Fatigue
- Nightmares
- Hyperactivity
- Startle reactions
- Impulsive behavior
- Sleep disturbances
- Self medication-substance abuse
- Headaches
- Health problems: changes in appetite, tense muscles, and digestive problems.
Cognitive Reactions
- Difficult concentrating
- Memory disturbance
- Difficult problem solving
- Difficulty making decisions
- Intrusive thoughts
- Inability to attach importance to anything else
Emotional Reactions
- Fear
- Emotional numbing
- Lack of emotion
- Guilt
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Helplessness
- Depression
- Loss of control
These are normal reactions and, although painful, are part of the healing process. There is not a lot anyone can do to make you not experience these uncomfortable feelings, but there are things you can do to feel more whole.