Impact of Suicidal Ideation Among Students Residing in Campus Housing on Barriers to Seeking Help From Resident Assistants

RESIDENT ASSISTANTS PROVIDE AN INVALUABLE ROLE in identifying residential students at risk for suicide and connecting them with appropriate supports on campus, which becomes increasingly important as many staff remain unaware of what prevents students from reaching out for help. This study explored the barriers that prevent students from seeking support from resident assistants (RAs) and mental health professionals. Many residential students who experienced suicidal ideation reported that though they may have benefited from mental health support, they did not seek out help for their distress. They also felt there were fewer barriers to seeking help from RAs than from mental health professionals. For this reason, RAs appear well positioned to help residents overcome barriers to pursuing support for mental health crises, to serve as gatekeepers, and to connect residents with mental health resources. This article reviews implications for how RAs can successfully intervene with students experiencing mental health crises and then refer them to the appropriate resources.