‘Mason Cares’ Extends Goal

Student Media Copy Editor Jacqueline Schafer

The Counseling and Psychological Services’ Mason Cares program held training for suicide prevention in the Eisenhower Lounge last Tuesday and Wednesday to train students as gatekeepers and “expand the Mason safety net,” said Adrienne Barna, licensed psychologist and associate director of CAPS.

According to Barna, the program has already trained around 670 Mason community members including faculty, staff, peer advisors, resident advisors and other on-campus groups. The goal now is to extend the program to the rest of the student body.

A gatekeeper is not expected to become a counselor to someone in distress. Mason Cares is designed to train participants to identify people in distress and be supportive, empathetic and understanding.

At the program, participants are first given statistics on suicide in the United States. According to the American Association of Suicidology, approximately 1100 students die by suicide each year, which is the second leading cause of death for students. In addition, for each student who dies by suicide there are an estimated 100-200 attempts.

Next, the participants discuss why students consider committing suicide and the emotions involved.

According to a University of Texas study, the top three reasons given by those who had seriously considered suicide were problems with relationships, school and friends. The most common emotions involved were pain, sadness, loneliness and hopelessness.

Participants then go through some common myths about suicide like “talking about suicide may give someone the idea,” said Barna. She says that talking about suicide “helps the suicidal person feel understood.”

Finally, the program covers the warning signs of suicide and some activities and role playing to see how certain situations can play out.

According to Barna, this type of training is necessary because only 20 percent of students who die by suicide have actually been to a university counseling center.
She said that a factor in this can be the belief that if they seek help they may be kicked out of school, which is not true. The important thing is for students to receive help and decide individually what the best path is for them.

The Mason Cares program will continue next fall with more programs for students to expand the number of Mason community members who are aware and equipped to help those with suicidal thoughts find help.

Find out more information on CAPS and Mason Cares at caps.gmu.edu. If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact CAPS at (703) 993-2380 or stop by their office in Student Union Building I, room 364.

For after hours assistance, students should contact Mason Police at (703) ­­993-4357.