Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Stephanie Knight
Nurs 433C
Sister Shippen
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 2
Background
department visits in the United States. According to Healthy People 2020 (2014), 313.1 per
for nonfatal self-harm injuries. Like many other injuries and acts of violence, self-harm is
preventable.
In 2008, Healthy People 2020 (2014) found that 124.9 per 100,000 people were admitted
for intentional self-harm injuries to the emergency department. The Healthy People goal for
2020 is to decrease the incidence of self-harm injuries to 112.4 per 100,000. However, the
incident rates have increased since 2008. In 2015, an average of 162.4 per 100,000 people in the
United States were admitted for intentional self-harm. Individuals between eighteen and twenty-
four years of age have shown incidences of intentional self-harm to be greater than other age
groups. In 2015, eighteen to twenty-four-year-olds had an incidence rate of 313.1 per 100,000, a
Population
are Caucasian, 3.53% are Hispanic, 0.46% are Pacific Islanders, 0.61% are African American,
1.09% are Asian American, 0.31% are American Indian, 1.52% are of unknown ethnicity, and
7.58% claim two or more ethnic heritages. About 22,719 on-campus students are married.
Roughly 99% of BYU-I students are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(LDS) and 16,973 students have returned from serving a mission for the LDS church (BYU-
Community
People
The city of Rexburg has a population a little over 30,000, 40.6% of whom are between
the ages of twenty and forty-five. The high percentage of the population in this age range is due
to the fluctuating number of students coming and going from BYU-I. Since Ricks College
transitioned to Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2004, the population has grown by 32%
(City of Rexburg, 2018). Students attend this university from different nations and American
states, but English is still the main language spoken. With 99% of incoming students being LDS,
the majority of the community is made up by LDS members. The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints has many beliefs that set it apart. First, they believe that divine authority has
been reinstated to the Earth through the prophet Joseph Smith in the 1800s. Second, instead of a
single being, the trinity is believed to be three separate entities whom the LDS people refer to as
“the Godhead.” Third, there are modern prophets today and revelation continues. Fourth,
temples build eternal families. And fifth, through the Plan of Salvation, mortals have been sent
to earth to be tested and to receive heavenly glory in the next life (Church of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom, 2011).
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 4
Place
leader until it became a full four-year university and was renamed Brigham Young University-
Idaho. In the present day, Rexburg is located nearby Highways 20 and 33 and Interstate-15.
Areas such as Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, and the Sand Dunes of St.
Anthony, are recognized on a national level and lead to year-round outdoor activities (City of
Rexburg, 2018).
Function
retirement homes, a significant number of mental health facilities and professionals, the public
farmer’s markets. Rexburg continues to follow its founders’ values of family and education, as
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 5
seen when families begin to develop while students pursue education. The city also encourages
Plan
Generating Data
Key informants will include interviews with emergency department nurses and their
experiences with self-harm patients, and BYU-I students who have struggled with self-harm.
The windshield survey will include observing the number of mental health facilities in
the community and the transportation necessary for BYU-I students to access them. Other
factors to include would be student access to vehicles, placement of living quarters, ethnicities,
Gathering Data
For this project, I intend to use data gathered From Healthy People 2020, the US Census
Bureau, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting
System (WISQARS), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), demographic statistics
County, and interviews of individuals who have experienced the effects of self-harm as an
Assessment
Primary Data
Key informant. As part of the assessment and gathering of data, it was planned to
interview individuals who have experienced the effects of self-harm on the levels of harmed
individual, a family member, and a healthcare professional to gain insight on self-harm and the
Healthcare Professional
About what percentage of patients come in I would only work one day a week. When I worked, it wasn’t
because of self-harm related injuries? a lot. Maybe 10%. We get a lot of intentional overdosing too.
How many of these patients are between 18 A lot. Sixty to seventy percent were college-aged. You see a
and 24 years of age? lot of self-harm injuries from eighteen into the thirties.
What protocols does your facility have in When they come in, they are screened. If the doctor thinks
place to help self-harm patients that end up in there is any more harm that could happen, they do a
How many college students utilize your We don’t go a shift without seeing college kids. Most students
facility as a resource? have the student health center, but if that is closed, they don’t
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 7
ED.
What things does your facility do for patients We have a packet in the ED that is a list of resources for them.
that struggle with self-harm? A lot of what we do is to talk to them, see what their struggles
Self-Harmed
When did you start with self-injury? Late 2013 is when it started. It continued to mid-2014.
Did you ever go to the hospital for a self- Not specifically, but it was one of the reasons I went to the ER
inflicted injury? before going to the mental hospital. I also had a few more
What support did you receive from family? In a lot of ways, I felt unsupported. I could tell people were
What support did you receive from In September 2014, I had a roommate. I received almost no
roommates/friends? support from him. He was kinda cold to me, which made it
Did you attend, or were you aware of, any I did not know of any community resources other than the
community services that would have helped mental hospitals. I didn’t even know the mental hospital was
you? If yes, in what way did those services an option until I was hospitalized the first time.
influence you?
Roommate
How did you learn that your roommate was The cops came over at two in the morning. She knocked on
instigating self-harm? my door and asked me to come into the Livingroom. The
police had come over and they told her she wasn’t allowed to
knocked on my door.
What did you do in response to this In my room I was annoyed at first. I wanted to know why she
information? had males in our apartment at two in the morning. I also had
this.’
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 9
Did you feel prepared to help them? Why or Nope. I don’t think anyone’s fully prepared for any big issue,
was forced, I would have done it—I would have gone with her
Where did you go to learn the skills to help Don’t let the temptation be there. If someone is an alcoholic,
you take away the razors. I didn’t have formal training, it was
just logical. The cops said to not leave her alone. I think it
What programs are you aware of in the I knew nothing. I knew bishop, the cops, and of her therapist.
community that helps self-harm patients? I only knew the cops were there because they said they were. I
counselor.’
Family Member
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 10
How did you learn that your family member I didn’t know until my parents were driving my brother off to
What did you do in response to this I had a roommate in the past who struggled with self-harm,
information? but it still didn’t help me when my brother was pulled out the
Did you feel prepared to help them? Why or I didn’t feel totally prepared, but I knew that patience and
Where did you go to learn the skills to help I had a roommate who struggled with self-harm. I had no idea
them? what I was doing then and was zero help. I never had any
cross my mind.
What programs are you aware of in the Mental health wasn’t really on my radar until this happened. I
community that helps self-harm patients? knew of two therapy offices in the city afterwards, and that
there were a few mental hospitals in the area, but nothing else.
Windshield Survey
For this windshield survey, the number of student apartments in relation to the number
and location of mental health facilities were considered. According to BYU-Idaho housing
policies, all non-married students must live in approved housing. Such approved housing can be
found throughout Rexburg, but most remain within a two-mile radius of the college campus
(Google Maps, n.d.). However, most mental health services are located a half or two miles away
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 11
from campus. With a car, travel time may only amount to ten minutes. For students without
access to a car, this can easily become a thirty-minute walk unless they use the Health Center on
campus. The following Google Map shows the mental health facilities closest to BYU-I campus:
Secondary Data
while most people who die by suicide are in psychological distress, the causes behind that
distress is often social or economical (Wray, 2012). The United States Census Bureau indicates
the level of poverty in Rexburg was 43.2% in 2016 (Census Bureau QuickFacts, n.d.). The
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 12
United States Census Bureau (2017) explains the poverty threshold for an individual under the
age of 65 without any children is a total income of 12,752 American dollars in a year. In 2010,
the CDC calculated that approximately 2,610.8 people lived in each square mile of Rexburg’s
9.76 square miles. Between the large student population and the condensed square footage of
Rexburg, the most likely source of Rexburg’s 43.2% poverty are the students living in the area.
Government agencies. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the
western side of the United States has a greater inclination toward self-harm and suicide
compared to other areas in the country (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2013). After
exploring this phenomenon, RWFJ extrapolates that the population of western US states is more
prone to population changes due to the increased number of newcomers and temporary residents.
Because the population is ever-changing, there are fewer opportunities for individuals to form
social bonds. Social bonds and connections is a less-explored variable of self-harm and suicide
but may prove to be a major component after further study is completed (Wray, 2012).
The Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), which
condenses statistics from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) shows a similar pattern to
RWFJ’s findings. Like RWFJ’s claims, rates for death by suicide are higher in the west and
mid-west states when compared to the eastern United States (WISQARS, 2017). The following
(WISQARS, 2017a).
organization that assesses and records rates of suicide and self-harm across the nation. In 2016,
they released a fact sheet regarding college students and suicide rates. According to this report,
suicide is the second most common cause of death in undergraduate students (AAS, 2016). In
Madison county between 2008 and 2014, 20.41 to 26.39 per 100,000 deaths occurred
WISQARS, 2017b). This rate is higher than many counties in Idaho. The following graph
(WISQARS, 2017b).
Most undergraduate students in the United States fall between eighteen and twenty-four-
years-of-age and more commonly report suicidal and self-harm ideations that graduate students
(AAS, 2016). About 31% of undergrads have considered suicide seriously (AAS, 2016).
college-aged students died from suicide in 2014 (AAS, 2016). However, many studies have
shown that most undergraduate students who report suicidal thoughts belong to ethnic minorities.
AAS further reports that, despite a growing demand for psychiatric health facilities, 86% of
undergraduates who died from suicide did not seek counseling services before their deaths (AAS,
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 15
2016). Additionally, 30.4% of college students that do attend counseling dropout prematurely
(AAS, 2016).
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 16
Data Interpretation
Similarities
The first common theme among these sources is found among the key informants, many
knowledge regarding what they could do for the self-harmed individual in their lives and were
unaware of any community sources that could help them. Second, many of the professional
online sources had a theme surrounding the fact that there is an increased likelihood of self-harm
and suicide associated with economic struggles, which have been commonly found among
n.d.; Wray, 2017). Third, many sources reported an increased likelihood for self-harm and
suicide among this population when social structures fluctuate (Census Bureau QuickFacts, n.d.;
Wray, 2017). This fluctuation is commonly seen each trimester at BYU-I as students arrive and
depart based on individual track assignment (City of Rexburg, 2018). With this change in
attendance comes a change in roommates and the presence of friends, thus changing whatever
Differences
From the windshield survey, it is apparent that not all students are on the same level of
need. Not all students have access to private insurance, but they can receive insurance from
BYU-Idaho’s health center (BYU-I, 2018). Health insurance, whether through family or through
the school, is mandatory for each student and covers services in the health and counseling
centers. A second difference can be found in varying levels of financial stress. Many students
experience high levels of stress from school expenses but appear to vary in financial support
from family or in the ability to support themselves. This will not be the case for all students,
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 17
however. Competition for employment is steep in Rexburg, so not all students will be able to
find work. A final difference found among the sources used in this study is the difference
between Emergency Room visits in the Rexburg area compared to the rate calculated by Healthy
People 2020 (2014). This may be due to shifts in population or decreased transportation to the
hospital.
Population strengths
This population has great potential to find strength. The potential for support in this
community is diverse. Google Maps (n.d.) shows a plethora of mental health facilities in the city
of Rexburg alone. One mental health facility within walking distance is the counseling center on
BYU-Idaho campus (BYU-I, 2018). Additionally, as stated by interviewees, bishops from the
LDS community and roommates can serve as support systems when possible. Within the LDS
church is a support system now known as ministering, which encourages a team of two
individuals to meet with their assigned persons at least once a month (Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints, 2018). For students who do not have access to health care through work, their
family, or other sources, health insurance is even available through BYU-I (BYU-Idaho, 2018).
With this insurance in place, students are able to receive healthcare services through the
Population challenges
With strengths, however, there are challenges. There are many mental health facilities,
but, as shown by Google Maps (n.d.), not all are within walking distance and many students do
not have available transportation to get there. BYU-Idaho’s health center houses a counseling
center, which is easily within walking distance. However, there is commonly a waiting list
involved, which delays access to speaking with a counselor (BYUI, 2018). Additionally, due to
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 18
the ever-changing student population, social supports change based on the current trimester at
BYU-I (City of Rexburg, 2018). The community provides a variety of free classes. One
example of community resources includes mental health training seminars held by Madison
County (Madison Cares, 2016). Despite the available resources and training provided by the
community, not many people are aware of them and cannot use them as a result, as seen in
Validating information.
emergency department visits for nonfatal, self-inflicted injuries in the United States. The rate of
self-harm for all people in the United States has increased from 124.9 per 100,000 people in
2008 to 162.4 per 100,000 in 2015 (Healthy People 2020, 2014). The exact cause for this
increase in self-harm is unknown, but many professionals have considered potential factors.
Wray (2012) indicated that economic stress increases likelihood of self-harm and suicide.
to the high concentration of college-aged students (United States Census Bureau, 2017).
In general, western American states seem to have higher levels of population fluctuation,
a phenomenon which is exemplified in Rexburg, Idaho (City of Rexburg, 2018; RWJF, 2013;
WISQARS, 2017). This fluctuation leads to decreased solidity of social bonds, which is a vital
component in reducing the rate of self-harm (Wray, 2012). RWFJ (2013) extrapolates this
population fluctuation is a factor to the increased rates of self-harm in western American states.
Madison County, specifically, has a death-by-suicide rate that is higher than many counties in
Idaho (WISQARS, 2017b). While there may be many resources available to help people who
regarding how to help self-harmed individuals and the community resources which are available
Access
due to insurance complications, is a struggle for this population. There does not seem to be a
single way to resolve this barrier since there are many possible factors. BYU-Idaho, however,
approaches the issue by having a counseling center on campus, which is within distance for most
on campus students (Google Maps, n.d.). Additionally, the regular charge rate is around ten
dollars per meeting, so the financial struggle is greatly reduced (BYU-Idaho, 2018). Healthy
People 2020, however, alludes to the high prevalence of he problem related to the size of the
study population that may benefit from treatment. An average of 162.4 per 100,000 people were
admitted to the ED for self-inflicted injuries and the highest known population for self-inflicted
injuries are between eighteen and twenty-four-years of age (Healthy People 2020, 2014). A bulk
of the university’s students, about 85%, are on campus students (BYU-Idaho Academic Office,
n.d.). Due to the large population in potential need of services, the university may not be able to
Recommendations. It is not probable for a single facility to provide cares for 85% of a
university’s populace. BYU-Idaho may not be able to expand due to lack of university funding,
but it may be possible for current healthcare professionals from the BYU-Idaho’s Counseling
Center to refer students to other facilities and healthcare professionals. These BYU-Idaho
mental health professionals could assess and refer individuals who struggle with self-harm to
other community facilities. This transfer of cares may be based on the individual’s access to
transportation, the student’s insurance coverage, and the level of expertise they may require.
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 21
assess. However, the AAS (2016) have shown that 30.4% of individuals with suicidal ideation
of self-harm tendencies tend to drop out of counseling early. Assessing the levels of retention
between the school and the outsourced community facilities may prove beneficial in tracking
outcomes.
Education
life change and lack the skills necessary to cope. They are moving away from home, perhaps for
the first time, and trying to determine what they will do for the rest of their lives. In addition to
schooling, undergrad students of this population may also be trying to make decisions regarding
Recommendations. Mental health is an ongoing and prevalent struggle for many people
on an individual or familial level. These studies have expressed a lack of comprehension and
coping skills among individuals. One way to combat this lack of knowledge would be to include
a section on mental health within health classes that are routinely performed at middle and high
school levels. These recommendations may reduce rates of self-harm in the future, but it does
For the present, community classes may be held, and advertised, on BYU-Idaho’s
campus. This would allow easier access to on campus students, and to increase student and
Evaluation. The benefits for including mental health lessons in middle and high schools
may be measured by future rates of self-harm found among undergraduate college students
For the nearer future, success of community classes may be fulfilled in a variety of ways.
Surveys may be sent out via student emails to assess student awareness of the classes and to
assess feelings of preparedness for those who have already attended. Such surveys may also
Support
Approximately 40% of this population is suspected to fluctuate by the comings and goings of
students throughout BYU-Idaho’s trimesters (City of Rexburg, 2018). Most students are away
from family, may not know their roommates before moving in, or have friends living elsewhere
nearby. Church leaders in young single adult (YSA) wards may be more constant, but may lack
especially the case for individuals who struggle with mental health on any level. Individuals
who have a person in their life who struggles with mental health should be encouraged to seek
out education to both understand the struggle, and to learn the skills necessary to help. Support
groups like the “big brother” and “big sister” programs could be initiated. In place of a brother
or sister, struggling individuals could be matched with a person who is trained in mental health.
This would be a resource for support, and the supporter could act as an advocate for the
encouraged to take a course on aiding others with mental health. This may have noticeable
benefits for youths, considering the highest rate of self-harm and suicide falls between
communications and compassion for those who may be struggling. With the knowledge that
comes from ongoing mental health training, individuals can act as advocates and as a column of
support for individuals who may not have support otherwise. Additionally, those who have been
educated can help further by teaching others in a casual capacity. It may not be possible for
everyone to receive intensive or basic mental health training, but it is possible to be of help when
Evaluation. A practice group could be formed and studied to determine the viability of a
“big brother” or “big sister” program. Such tests will require follow-up and a comparison to a
group who did not spend time with a “big brother” or “big sister.” Surveys may be conducted
among YSA wards to assess individual and church leader awareness of those who struggle with
Reflection
From this project, I have learned that the best way to help and approach individuals who
struggle with mental health is to seek education and understanding. Mental illness is often very
taxing for all persons involved and requires a lot of patience, especially for those who engage in
self-harm. As a professional, I need to be aware of how I think about patients who struggle with
patient who struggles with self-harm requires the same level of bias-free care found in substance
I can apply my learning to improve the lives of others by spreading the things I have
learned. In my future career as a healthcare professional, I can assist with or hold classes
regarding mental health and self-harm. For now, I can use what I have learned to improve the
SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 24
lives of individuals close to me. There are many self-harm patients found in mental health
hospitals. As I continue my work there, I can pursue patient and family education. All
individuals require a support system, but self-harmed individuals require it to a greater degree.
Education and support have been my greatest areas of concern for patients who struggle
with mental health and self-harm since I found two important people in my life struggle with
these things. For years, they also struggled alone. I had no idea they were struggling, and when
I was aware, I didn’t know what to do. Many people feel helpless when faced with the prospect
of someone harming themselves or worse. Mental health is not something that American
schools, elementary through university, are well-versed in. It leaves struggling individuals, and
the people who could form their support groups, floundering for some way to cope. Personal
experience taught me these things. This project emphasized the importance for community
awareness and involvement. No single individual can fix a community. However, a community
of individuals may be able to succeed where lone individuals fall short. Mental health should be
as common as traditional first aid in order for it to be successful. This knowledge may start with
individuals, but with the right advertising and classes, a whole community may find a solution.
References
American Association of Suicidology. (2016). College Students & Suicide Fact Sheet 2016 Fact
Formatted%20College%20Students%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?ver=2016-11-16-110354-547
center/student-health-plan
http://www2.byui.edu/IR/stats/index.htm
Census Bureau QuickFacts. (n.d.). U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Rexburg city, Idaho.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rexburgcityidaho/LFE041216#viewtop
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (2018). Ministering: Frequently Asked Questions.
Church of Latter-Day Saints Newsroom. (2011, May 12). Learn About Core Mormon Beliefs.
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111787559,702&tbm=lcl&ved=0ahUKEwj99rerhKzbAhUIwlQKHW8TBJMQtgMIKw
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SELF-HARM IN BYU-I STUDENTS 26
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