Crisis on Campus: Suicide Prevention Practices in Elite University Health Centers

Abstract

While suicide is something that impacts all Americans, disproportionately impacts certain populations—United States college students among them. Though college students have access to internal health care through their university health centers, a luxury that most Americans do not have, it is still the 2nd leading cause of death among their population. This study aims to explore clinical practices and the use of evidence-based practices in university health centers. By asking clinicians what tools and strategies they use to screen and prevent suicide, the barriers they encounter when doing so, and testing their knowledge on the most effective evidence-based prevention strategy, safety planning, we aim to understand the effectivity of suicide prevention practices being implemented. Results were mixed. While some results highlighted promising practices and positive patient outcomes, others exposed gaps in clinicians’ knowledge and training. Results also confirmed barriers that clinicians tend to encounter in other clinical settings while reporting new barriers that are only present in university health centers. Ultimately, however, there is not enough research done in this area. Both researchers and universities share a responsibility to examine this matter further to strengthen efforts to support the health and well-being of their students.