Junette Reyes/Staff Writer
Over 38,000 people in the United States die by suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This figure does not compare to the overwhelming estimation of 1 million annual attempts of suicide.
These statistics drove Jeremy Pettit, an FIU psychology professor, to conduct research that was recognized by the American Association of Suicidology, which has awarded him the Edwin Shneidman Award for 2013.
Americans between 15 and 24 years old prove to be more likely to attempt suicide, compared to other demographics, which is the “third leading cause of death among” this age group, according to the AFSP.
Professor Jeremy Petit
Pettit said his work mostly focuses on suicide-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
“These are often still precursors to thinking about suicide and acting on suicide,” Pettit said.
Such suicide-related behaviors can be attributed to this age group for its alarming prevalence during what can be described as a developmental period.
Concentrating on this developmental period could be advantageous to research in this field.
Pettit said that because of the dramatic increases of suicidal rates during this time period, it is important to find out what is leading to the “development of these thoughts, behaviors, actions, and tragically, in some instances, the actual death by suicide,” as well as the possible intervention and prevention of such behaviors.
Pettit’s research is directed towards influence in the environmental context in terms of stressful life events and chronically stressful situations.
“The research found that …both major negative events that happen and kind of the chronically stressful environments lead to higher rates of thinking about suicide and attempting suicide,” Pettit said.
There is also a focus on one’s interpersonal environment in terms of how social relationships can either increase or decrease the risk for suicide-related behaviors.
“[The research is finding] the belief or the perception that one poses a burden on others, like [thinking] ‘I drain others’ or ‘Others would be better off if I were not here,’ is a strong predictor of suicidal-related behaviors in adolescents and emerging adults,” said Pettit.
A sense of detachment or the lack of a network of social support also play parts as interpersonal factors.
“[They are not] as strong of a predictor as the feeling of being a burden or draining one’s family,” said Pettit.
Pettit’s interest in psychology first sparked while working on depression, which he said is the “common cold” of mental illness. The striking numbers of attempted suicides, deaths by suicide and the tragic circumstances that involved adolescents as well as the pain the families go through, further drew his attention to the matter with the hopes of eventually figuring out successful approaches of prevention.
Pettit said the importance of the issue transcends the degree of its advancement in research. Much knowledge has been gained through research, however, a decrease in the number of suicides in the country has yet to be seen.
This also applies to awareness of the seriousness of this situation, which has yet to be fully optimized. Pettit said the acknowledgment of suicidal issues has improved over the past few years but that open discussions should be a first step to complete awareness.
He said college students on average have lower rates of suicide than to people who are the same age, but do not attend college. However, this does not mean that college students are immune to this issue or to difficulties in life, especially because they can find themselves to be within that developmental age group.
In the situation that one suspects someone of being suicidal, he suggested to not only recognize the issue in terms of signs of withdrawal or hopelessness, but to be open to offer support, recommending professional help or contacting a suicide hotline, like 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).
Pettit said students who lack a sense of familiarity, such as out-of-state students, should attempt to establish connections away from home and become involved in activities.
The underlying importance is to be willing to seek help when needed and to not to be afraid to approach establishments whose purpose is to help students in moments of crisis, such as the University’s Health Services and the Counseling and Psychological Services.
CAPS offers both individual counseling sessions and group counseling sessions, which can help establish a support network. Services from the UHS Wellness Center are also offered to help students cope with stress, such as stress management/reduction consultations, acupuncture sessions, massages, meditations, and an assortment of free tea.
The services funded by the student health fee are available at each campus and, for the most part, accept walk-ins.
junette.reyes@fiusm.com
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