The end of the semester can be a difficult time. Added pressure to perform well, meet expectations or reach certain milestones can negatively affect our mental health. Talking about suicide, even if the conversation is brief, can encourage friends and peers who are at risk to seek support.
Here are some tips you can use if you鈥檙e concerned that a friend, roommate or classmate may be struggling or thinking about suicide.
Know the warning signs
While suicides may take us by surprise or feel unexpected, there can be subtle or more obvious signs that precede suicidal behaviors. Knowing potential warning signs and ways to intervene can dramatically reduce the risks of suicidal behaviors.
Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Withdrawing from friends, family or peer groups
- Neglecting their appearance or hygiene
- Sudden changes in academic performance (e.g. cutting class, missing assignments, etc.)
- Noticeable decline or worsening of mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.
- Acting recklessly or engaging in risky behaviors
- Engaging in violent or self-destructive behaviors
- Increased alcohol or other drug use
- Being unable to sleep or sleeping all the time (including in class)
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
- Expressing feelings that life is meaningless or there is no reason to live
- Feeling desperate or trapped, like there is no way out
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Giving away possessions
If you notice these warning signs, there are things you can do to support the person who is struggling and help them connect with resources.
Share your concerns
If you鈥檙e concerned about someone and feel comfortable talking with them, gently share what you鈥檝e noticed and your desire to help. Try to arrange a time to meet with them privately to discuss your concerns. It can be helpful to provide concrete examples of behaviors that you鈥檝e noticed. For instance, you may say 鈥淚鈥檝e noticed you鈥檝e been struggling to keep up with assignments recently鈥� or 鈥淚鈥檝e noticed that you haven鈥檛 been spending as much time with your friends lately.鈥� Acknowledging their distress can help open the door for conversation.
If you鈥檙e not sure how to approach someone or start the conversation, check out听Kognito. This free online program helps students practice conversational skills related to mental health and suicide prevention through role-playing and simulations.听
If you鈥檙e not comfortable approaching someone with your concerns, consider filling out an online referral for听Student Support and Case Management. Their office can reach out to students to follow-up and provide additional support.听
Ask the question
When talking with a friend or peer, don鈥檛 be afraid to ask directly about suicide or self-harm. Contrary to what we may think, talking about suicide directly isn鈥檛 going to plant the idea in their head. If they have been thinking about suicide or self-harm, asking them about it can be a relief and an opportunity for them to talk about it more openly.听
When you ask, express your care by saying something like 鈥淚鈥檓 asking because I care. Are you thinking about suicide?鈥� If they aren鈥檛, they鈥檒l let you know. Asking someone, even if they aren鈥檛 thinking about suicide, lets them know that it鈥檚 okay to talk about it in the future if things change. If they are thinking about suicide, it鈥檚 likely time to help them connect with resources on campus.听
Remember that you don鈥檛 have to carry the weight of someone else鈥檚 mental health or suicidal thoughts. Reach out to mental health resources for both your friend and yourself.
Listen
Listen without judgment, and resist the urge to give them advice. It鈥檚 important to understand someone鈥檚 pain and what they鈥檙e experiencing. Keep in mind that suicidal behaviors are often short-term and situation-specific. In many cases, suicide ideation is an attempt to control or manage significant pain. When the pain subsides, suicide ideation often lessens with it. However, understanding the source of someone鈥檚 pain (e.g. academic pressures, mental health concerns, etc.) can also help us better support them and connect them with resources.
Manage your emotions
Talking about suicide can be nerve-racking, especially if someone says they have considered committing suicide. However, it鈥檚 important to manage your own emotions. When we project our own fears or anxieties, it can cause the other person to shut us out or become more distressed. Instead, try to reiterate your care and concern. Let them know that you are there for them and you want them to be okay.
Instill hope
Let the person know that there are resources available to help them and things can get better. Don鈥檛 be afraid to call for help immediately if you鈥檙e worried about someone鈥檚 safety. Here are some on-campus resources that are available to help students who are struggling with mental health concerns or thoughts of suicide.
Resources for students
Welfare checks
Welfare checks can be instituted by any police department if you鈥檙e concerned about the health, safety or welfare of someone. Be prepared to give the exact address (residence hall and room number if on campus) as well as the reason for your concerns.
- On campus:听CUPD 303-492-6666
- Off campus:听Boulder Police 303-441-3333
听Emergency/urgent resource
Crisis services
If a student is in need of urgent or same-day support, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provides crisis support 24/7. Call 303-492-2277 to connect with a triage counselor.
听Urgent resource
Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM provides support for students throughout their time at 澳门开奖结果2023开奖记录. They are here to help students identify issues and appropriate resources. They also work collaboratively with students to develop an action plan.
听Urgent resource
Let鈥檚 Talk
If a student is not currently suicidal but may be struggling, Let鈥檚 Talk is a great way to get connected with support services. They can meet one-on-one with a counselor for a confidential consultation that can help them gain insight and connect with additional resources on campus.
Workshops
If a student is not currently suicidal but may be struggling, workshops are a great way for students to learn coping skills related to anxiety, stress and other painful emotions. Workshops are available throughout the week and are covered by the student mental health fee.
OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life-disruptive event.