The Badger Herald: News: Attempted suicide reinforces UW support services

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Attempted suicide reinforces UW support services

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007 12:21 a.m.

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After the Madison Police Department declared a recent incident at the La Ciel apartments a suicide attempt, University Health Services is reminding students of the help available to them during this stressful time of year.

A University of Wisconsin student was rushed to a local hospital Saturday night after falling from the eighth story of the apartment building. The 21-year-old sustained non-life threatening injuries from the incident, which occurred at approximately 10:43 p.m.

"It became clear after the investigation that it was an attempted suicide," MPD Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said. "I don't think there's going to be a lengthy investigation on it."

According to UHS Counseling Services Director Bob McGrath, the end of the semester can be a stressful time for students due to the intense pressure to tie up loose ends.

"In terms of the crisis services, we definitely see an increase in the number of people that come in," McGrath said. "In general the intensity of requests and services increases at the end of the semester."

McGrath attributed the increase to a number of possible causes such as stress with schoolwork, problems among friends and roommates or simply a realization as the semester comes to a close that the student has fallen behind. He said the end of the semester can be "prompt in making people realize that things [aren't] going very well for them."

McGrath encouraged students who are having any suicidal thoughts to contact UHS.

"We have both an after-hours service and counselors available by phone after hours," McGrath said.

He added although they normally hold brief intake sessions with students who have requested service prior to regular counseling appointments, any students who call at this time of year are ensured a full hour of service at their first appointment.

According to DeSpain, the police department normally does not release information about suicides or suicide attempts.

"I think what happened was that the officer that put out the release didn't know at that time that it was an attempted suicide," DeSpain said.

Associate Dean of Students Kevin Helmkamp said he could not comment on the student's current condition.

2 Comments | Leave a comment

Anonymous | December 5, 2007 3:59 PM | Reply
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I think the University has done a really good job advertising and encouraging the use of counseling services, but I think faculty need to be more aware of these issues.

Sometimes students are faced with a cold, incompassionate professor in times of desperation or intense pressure. Professors can be more helpful and compassionate without compromising academic stringency.

For instance, I once had a final project for a course where we scheduled a time to demonstrate the project at the end of the semester. I ended up with way too much work left on the project, and was still working to complete it minutes before it was due. I ended up arriving 20 minutes late to my appointment, and was turned away only to receive a 0% on something I had worked on for days and days.

I didn’t have any suicidal thoughts, but it’s moments like these when a person believes that there is “no hope.” I think faculty need to understand what a stressful time finals can be and offer to help students out.

Anonymous | March 24, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply
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This is the dumbest thing in the world! Yea, great job writing an article about all the help services that the school offers and then NOT listing ANY of them. It’s good to know that the school has after-hours services and counselors available by phone, now HOW do I get in touch with these people???? Way to go Badger Herald, another Top-Notch story!