‘SHAPING’ The Response to Students at-Risk: Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm Behavior, Past Suicide Attempts and Help-Seeking Preferences Among Students in an Irish College

Suicidal behavior is an increasing concern for colleges, with calls for a whole campus approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. However, planning and resourcing such efforts can be difficult due to a lack of data on students’ suicidal behavior, associated risk factors, and help-seeking behaviors. Undergraduate and graduate students (N = 1,329) at one Irish college completed an online survey ascertaining their suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, suicide attempts, help-seeking behavior, self-esteem, and demographic data. Half (50%) of the sample reported self-harm, 48% suicidal thoughts, and 14% a past suicide attempt. Help-seeking was relatively low (29%, 40%, 52% respectively). Common barriers to help-seeking included a perception that the situation was “not that bad,” and a preference for autonomy in managing mental health difficulties. Multivariate analysis identified four common associated factors: low self-esteem, difficulty coping with life without drugs, an enduring mental health problem, and LGBTQ+ identity.