Discussing Suicide in the Classroom: Perspectives from Students and Instructors
Author Information
Author(s): Weaver Raven, Decker Autumn, Robillard Ashley, Vasylenko Maksim, Kidner Madison, Bolkan Cory
Primary Institution: Washington State University
Hypothesis
How do students and instructors perceive the discussion of suicide in educational settings?
Conclusion
Most students want to learn more about suicide, while many instructors avoid discussing it due to concerns about student well-being.
Supporting Evidence
- 74% of students wanted to learn more about suicide.
- 86% of students wanted to know about resources for individuals at risk of suicide.
- Many faculty felt unprepared to discuss suicide in class.
Takeaway
Students want to talk about suicide in class, but teachers often feel scared to bring it up because they worry it might upset students.
Methodology
The study used a quantitative survey of college students and qualitative interviews with faculty.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in faculty responses due to personal discomfort with the topic.
Limitations
The study may not represent all college environments as it focused on specific institutions.
Participant Demographics
Students (n=313; Mean age: 19.5; 71% Women) and faculty (n=27; 83% Women; 94% White).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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