Safety Update
Brought to you by ISU Public Safety and the ISU Safety Committee September, 2003
Workplace Violence Prevention
Idaho State University is concerned about the potential for acts or threats of violence and views aggressive and/or violent behavior as disruptive and contrary to the development and maintenance of a safe, productive, and supportive campus environment. Such behavior will not be tolerated. Employees, students or visitors who exhibit such behavior will be held accountable under University policy and rules, as well as local, state, and federal law.
Types Of Campus/Workplace Violence
Violence that may occur on campus from three areas:
Third Party Intrusion on Campus- According to recent research, the greatest potential for workplace and other campus violence occurs when a person who is not a member of the campus community enters the campus. Despite media hype, the attacker usually isn't a disgruntled co-worker or student. It can be the estranged or recently divorced husband or wife, the ex-boyfriend or girlfriend or the emotionally disturbed person. While homicide in the workplace is rising, 75 percent of work-related homicides are committed by unknown assailants while committing a robbery or other crimes.
Student vs. Employee/Student vs. Student- Students may display verbal or physical aggressive behavior toward a number or group of employees or other students. High risk areas include but are not limited to:
Office of Student Financial Aid
Student Affairs
Parking Office - Parking Enforcement
Student Housing
Library
Bursar's Office
Academic Advisor
Faculty Member
Classroom
Dances/Parties
Sporting Events
Disgruntled Employees- The disgruntled employee usually directs his act(s) of violence toward coworkers, supervisors or managers. This type of employee feels that the university has taken something important from them, such as their job, feeling the university has a moral obligation to provide that which was taken away, and the violence, typically, includes injury to co-workers, supervisors, and him/herself.
Guidelines For Employees & Students
All threats and acts of aggressive or violent behavior should be taken seriously and reported immediately. Such threats or acts include the following:
- A. Argues frequently with, is belligerent towards, or repeatedly swears at co-workers, faculty, staff or students.
- B. Sabotages equipment or intentionally damages property.
- C. Verbalizes wish or intent to hurt co-workers, students, faculty or staff.
- D. Sends violent written, verbal, or visual communications to co-workers, faculty, staff or students.
- E. Threatens suicide.
- F. Destroys property.
- G. Engages in physical altercations.
- H. Possesses or displays weapons.
Reporting Responsibility Guidelines
Acts of violence or threats of imminent violence require an immediate response!
- Dial 911
- Notify Public Safety at x-2515
In the event of other threats:
- Inform a supervisor or other management personnel immediately!
- Supervisors notify Public Safety at x-2515 and Human Resources at x-2517.
- It helps to make note of what occurred in case you are called upon to remember events at a later date.
See the entire Violence in the Workplace Policy with reporting guidelines on our web page.
Public Safety's Protection For Victims:
Escorts by a uniformed officer to and from the victim's vehicle to workplace or student residence.
Use of a cell phone for direct contact to 911.
Alerting co-workers and students to the possibility of danger and what to do.
Arranging office furniture and identifying escape routes.
Contact Public Safety at ext. 2515 for a presentation in your department or for additional information.
Services that provide support and guidance to help the faculty/staff member, student or third party person deal with his/her problem:
ISU Public Safety 282-2515
Human Resources 282-2517
Student Affairs Office 282-2315
Affirmative Action 282-3964
ISU Counseling & Testing 282-2130
ISU Psychology Clinic 282-2129
Ombuds Office 282-2164
ISU Student Health 282-2330
Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource CenterCrisis Line 251-4357
Family Services Alliance 232-0742
Reminder: october is domestic violence awareness month! Watch for activities planned to raise everyone's awareness of this silent killer!
Understanding & Preventing Suicide
Nearly everyone at some time in his or her life thinks about committing suicide. Most decide to live because they eventually come to the realization that the crisis is temporary and death is not. On the other hand, people having a crisis often perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. These are some of the feelings and things they experience.
- Can't stop the pain
- Can't think clearly
- Can't make decisions
- Can't see any way out
- Can't sleep, eat or work
- Can't get out of depression
- Can't make the sadness go away
- Can't see a future without pain
- Can't see themselves as worthwhile
- Can't get someone's attention
- Can't seem to get control
Talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal. The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression. Approximately 30,000 Americans kill themselves every year. Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death among 5-14 years old. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among persons 15-24 years old. The suicide rate for white males aged 15-24 has tripled since 1950, while for white females it has more than doubled. Among persons aged 10-14 years, the rate has increased by 100%. Between 1980-1996, the suicide rate for African-American males aged 15-19 increased 105%.
Risk factors for suicide among the young include suicidal thoughts, psychiatric disorders (such as depression, impulsive aggressive behavior, bipolar disorder, certain anxiety disorders), drug and/or alcohol abuse and previous suicide attempts, with the risk increased if there is also access to firearms and situational stress.
There are more than four male suicides for every female suicide. However, at least twice as many females as males attempt suicide. Suicide cuts across all age, economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. Surviving family members not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are themselves at a higher risk for suicide and emotional problems.
Suicide is preventable! Most people desperately want to live; others are just unable to see alternatives to their problems. Most suicidal persons give definite warning signs of their suicidal intentions, but other people are either unaware of the significance of these warnings or do not know how to respond to them.
Be aware of warning signs.
There is no typical suicide victim. It happens to young and old, rich and poor, Fortunately, there are some common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives. Here are some to watch for. A suicidal person may:
- Talk about committing suicide.
- Have trouble eating or sleeping.
- Experience drastic changes in behavior.
- Withdraw from friends and social activities.
- Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
- Make out a will and final arrangements.
- Give away prized possessions.
- Have attempted suicide before.
- Take unnecessary risks.
- Have had a recent severe loss.
- Be preoccupied with death and dying.
- Lose interest in their personal appearance.
- Increase their use of alcohol or drugs.
Note: Information for this section was gathered from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at www.afsp.org & The National Foundation For Depressive Illness at www.depression.org.
Know the Do's and Don'ts
People who are contemplating suicide go back and forth, thinking about life and death…..the pain can come in "waves". They don't want to die, they just want the pain to stop. Once they know they can be helped, that there are treatments available for their illness, that it isn't their fault and that they are not alone, it gives them hope. We should never "give up" on someone, just because we think they've made their mind up!
Ways To Be Helpful to Someone Who is Threatening Suicide:
- Learn the warning signs. Be aware.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
- Ask he or she if they are thinking about suicide.
- Be direct. Talk openly and freely about suicide.
- Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
- Be non-judgmental. Don't debate whether the suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.
- Don't dare him or her to do it.
- Don't give advise by making decisions for someone else.
- Don't ask why. This encourages defensiveness.
- Offer empathy, not sympathy.
- Don't act shocked. This will put distance between you.
- Don't be sworn to secrecy. Seek Support.
- Take action. Remove means. Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
- Going with someone to the counselor often helps. If the person won't listen to you, you may need to talk to someone who might influence him or her. Saving a life is more important than violating a confidence.
- A suicidal person urgently needs to see a doctor or psychiatrist.
To Those Suffering from Depression and Thoughts of Suicide: How To Make Life Easier!
- Recognize that there may be certain times of the day when you feel better and use that to your advantage.
- Break large tasks into smaller ones; set priorities and take things one at a time; avoid taking on too much responsibility and setting overly difficult goals.
- Try not to expect too much from yourself so as to lessen any feeling of failure you may have.
- Activities such as exercise, attending sports or cultural events or participating in a religious or social event can help you feel better. It is important not to overdo it; feeling better takes time.
- Avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. This kind of self-medication may provide a temporary "high", but in the end will intensify depression.
- If affected with Depressive disorders, you may feel exhausted, worthless, helpless and hopeless. You may feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these symptoms and negative thinking are part of depression. When treatment begins to take effect, the negative thinking fades.
Who to Contact for Help
ISU Public Safety 282-2515
Student Affairs Office 282-2315
ISU Counseling & Testing 282-2130
ISU Psychology Clinic 282-2129
ISU Student Health 282-2330
Pocatello Police Non-Emergency 234-6100
EMERGENCY 911
Idaho Suicide Hotlines website: www.suicidehotlines.com/Idaho.html