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Suicide Awareness

Suicide Awareness:


If your child, you, or someone you know is in crisis, please use the following information from the National Institute of Mental Health:

  1. ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
  2. KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
  3. BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
  4. HELP THEM CONNECT:
    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 or dial 1-800-273-TALK
    Crisis Text Line:  Text HOME to 741741
    Contact Safe2Help Illinois: Text SAFE2 to 72332 or dial 1-844-4-SAFEIL
  5. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
  6. STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

More information can be found on the National Institute of Mental Health website.

Several suicide prevention and mental health support resources for students, faculty, and staff include: 

 

  • Call 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255) for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline
  • Dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • Text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line