Emergency Resources
On-Campus Crisis Resources
Student Counseling Services offers crisis support during business hours when the University is open.
Community Crisis Resources and Hotlines
Suicide is the #2 leading cause of death for college age students. No gender, racial, ethnic or socio-economic group is immune from this phenomena. Men are more likely to commit suicide than women. They usually use violent means to end their own lives. Females, on the other hand, are more likely to attempt suicide; they usually use drugs or poison to try and end their lives. You should note that a suicide attempt is a "cry for help" and a request for social support. The suicidal person is letting his/her feelings be known. His/her problems seem overwhelming and too difficult to handle.
Warning Signs
There are verbal and non-verbal warning signs of suicide that will let you know that your classmate or friend is crying for help:
VERBAL Warning Signs:
- Reporting feelings of hopelessness
- Reporting feelings that instructors, classmates, family, or friends do not care
- Statements that life isn't worthwhile, people would be better off or things would be easier without them, or that they can't go on any longer
- Everything seems to be going wrong
NON-VERBAL Warning Signs:
- Giving away valued posessions
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Lack of interest in personal appearance or hyggiene
- Lack of interest in friends or activities they used to be involved in
- Having difficulty adjusting to the loss of a relationship or grief
- Poor performance in school
- Excessive feelings of guilt
Ways to Help
There are many ways to help someone who may be in crisis:
- Take all suicidal threats seriously
- Get help immediately
- Remain calm and understanding
- NEVER leave a suicidal student alone
- Talk openly and freely, and ask direct questions about the student's intentions
- Do not challenge suicidal remarks by saying things such as "You'll never do anything like that" or "If you feel that bad, then go ahead and do it"
- Be reassuring that the problem can be solved, but do not offer false assurance to try to "cheer up" the student
- Listent to what is said and treat it seriously without adding to their distress by arguing, debating, or lecturing about whether or not suicide is right or wrong
- Encourage the student to seek help from Student Counseling Services or another counseling provider, and offer to take them there