An examination of college student helping intentions: depression, suicidal, and homicidal presentations

ABSTRACT Depression is common in college students. Little research has examined peer helping intentions when a student is posed with a peer disclosing depression. Moreover, little research has examined how helping intentions may change with presentation severity (e.g. if suicidal or homicidal ideation is present). We addressed these questions by collecting data from a large sample of college students. Participants were randomly assigned through an online survey into one-of-three experimental vignette conditions to a hypothetical peer with depression (n =198), depression with suicidal ideation (Depression-SI; n = 194), and depression with homicidal ideation (Depression-HI; n = 175). Participants then responded to a measure of helping intentions. Respondents across conditions indicated they generally intended to help their peer. Referrals to a mental health professional and family members were the most frequently chosen, with referrals to a hotline or website being the least frequently chosen. Participants in the Depression-HI condition reported the greatest helping intentions, followed by participants in the Depression-SI condition. Participants in the Depression condition reported the lowest helping intentions. College students likely intend to help their peers with mental health concerns, particularly if the peer is presenting with risk factors that may indicate a threat of violence.