Telling someone who is suicidal to cheer up usually helps. Fact Fiction
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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.
Most people who attempt suicide have gotten it out of their systems and won’t try it again. Fact Fiction
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A person who has attempted suicide is at higher risk for dying by suicide than someone who has never made an attempt.
Suicidal people aren’t always fully intent on dying. Fact Fiction
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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.
People who talk about suicide don’t die by suicide. Fact Fiction
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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 Fiction
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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.” Fact Fiction
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Many people who die by suicide have given definite warnings to their family and friends. Always take any comment about suicide seriously.
Most suicides occur around Christmas and Thanksgiving. Fact Fiction
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Suicide rates are actually lowest in the winter months.
Click here to find local resources in your community or on your college campus
IMPORTANT!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
IMPORTANT!Should you witness, hear, or see anyone exhibiting any one or more of the following, get help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by contacting a mental health professional, calling your college’s emergency number, or calling 1-800-273-8255(TALK)
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
While depression has forced Yecenia to make sacrifices, the right support and treatment plan keep her in college.
After losing a friend to suicide in high school, Alexandra is determined to help a college friend who is struggling.
The founder of To Write Love on Her Arms explains how a movement based on music and community is helping people across the country cope with mental health issues.
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.
Among adults, 18 to 24 year-olds attempt suicide more often than any other age group.
More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from all medical illnesses combined.
Of the over 15 million college students in the US, an estimated 1,100 die by suicide each year (about 3 per day).
Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 dies by suicide.
Factors that can trigger suicidal behavior in college students range from difficulties adjusting to a new environment; a lack of adequate social or coping skills; academic and social pressures; feelings of failure or decreased performance; a sense of alienation and lack of social support; or the onset of mental illness.
Over the last couple of weeks have you felt badly about yourself, such as thinking that you are a failure of have let someone down?
Yes No
Over the last couple of weeks have you had trouble concentrating or felt your thoughts came more slowly or seemed mixed-up?
Have you been feeling tired, sad, blue or depressed lately?
Have you found yourself in situations where you felt more anxious than usual?
Have you ever felt you should cut down on your use of alcohol or drugs (illegal or prescription)?
Have you noticed recent changes in your behavior, such as sleep pattern, eating habits, mood or interests?
Have you been having difficulty managing stress in your daily life?
Your answers indicate that you may be dealing with one or more problems that you should explore further. Use our anonymous Check Yourself tool to learn more or contact your campus health or counseling center for support.
Your answers indicate that you may not be struggling with the most common student mental health issues. If you're still concerned about recent feelings or behavior, use our anonymous Check Yourself tool to learn more.
Flyin' Get up, stay up with this megamix of feel good videos.
Wound Up Whether you're up or down, slide into this mix of medium sounds.
Bummin' Even bad times need a soundtrack. This one is ours.
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
(800) 273-TALK (8255)
www.trevorproject.com
866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
For non-emergencies, suicide, and mental health resources, we suggest the following:
www.nmha.org
(800) 969-NMHA
www.nimh.nih.gov
(800) 421-4211
www.afsp.org
(888) 333-2377
www.save.org
(952) 946-7998
www.spanusa.org
(202) 449-3600
www.nami.org
(800) 950-NAMI
www.sprc.org
(800) 273-TALK
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