Suicide Prevention

Most people who are suicidal desperately want to live but are unable to find another way to cope with their thoughts or feelings.

Almost all college students who die by suicide are suffering from an emotional disorder, most commonly depression. Other emotional problems can increase the risk for suicide too, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, substance abuse or eating disorders.

Identifying and treating these illnesses is especially important because someone with an untreated emotional disorder may be more likely to attempt suicide in the wake of a stressful event such as a death, relationship difficulties or a failed exam.

The most effective way to prevent suicide is to know the warning signs, take those signs seriously, and know how to respond when you experience them yourself or see them in a friend or classmate. The important thing to remember is that there is hope. People who are suicidal can be helped with the proper treatment.

Fact or Fiction?

People who talk about suicide don’t die by suicide.

FICTION: People who die by suicide usually talk about it first. Always take someone seriously when they talk about suicide.

Talking to someone about suicide won’t make them suicidal.

FACT: Asking someone about suicide will not cause them to become suicidal. Discussing suicidal thoughts, if done with sympathy, tact, and respect, can make the person feel less alone and encourage them to get the help they need.

Suicide rarely occurs without warning, out of the blue.

FICTION: Many people who die by suicide have given definite warnings to their family and friends. Always take any comment about suicide seriously.

Suicidal people aren’t always fully intent on dying.

FACT: Most people who are suicidal are undecided about whether they want to live or die. A part of them wants to live, but death seems like the only way out of their pain and suffering.

Most people who attempt suicide have gotten it out of their systems and won’t try it again.

FICTION: A person who has attempted suicide is at higher risk for dying by suicide than someone who has never made an attempt.

Most suicides occur around Christmas and Thanksgiving.

FICTION: Suicide rates are actually lowest in the winter months.

Telling someone who is suicidal to cheer up usually helps.

FICTION: Trying to cheer someone up might make them feel even more misunderstood and ashamed of their thoughts and feelings. It is important to listen well and take them seriously.

Understanding Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, and the third leading cause among all people aged 15-24.
Almost 10% of college students seriously consider attempting suicide.

Warning Signs

Should you witness, hear, or see anyone exhibiting any one or more of the following, get help IMMEDIATELY by contacting a mental health professional, calling your college’s emergency number, or calling 1-800-273-8255(TALK):

Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself.
Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means.
Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.

Should you witness, hear, or see someone you know exhibiting any one or more of the following, seek help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by contacting a mental health professional, calling your college’s emergency number, or calling 1-800-273-8255(TALK), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, for a referral:

Hopelessness
Rage, uncontrolled anger, revenge-seeking
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
Increased alcohol or drug use
Withdrawing from friends, family and society
Anxiety, agitation, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time
Dramatic mood changes
Expressing no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

If you cannot reach the contacts listed above during a crisis:

Take the individual to an emergency room or mental health walk-in clinic
Do not leave the person alone until professional help is with him/her
Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt