Take 5 for well-being: Suicide prevention 

The Division of Student Life is committed to helping students maximize their learning experiences. Part of this support is focused on holistic well-being and working to cultivate the knowledge, skills and behaviors needed to build a life of vitality, engagement, purpose and resilience while creating healthy environments through college and beyond.   

One vital aspect of a campus community that supports student well-being is a culture committed to suicide prevention and awareness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, and everyone in our campus community can be part of the solution.   

The topic of suicide can be difficult to discuss. It is important, however, to acknowledge that suicide prevention is a community effort.  

Through the Counseling Center’s Tide Against Suicide initiative, we strive to create partners across campus committed to preventing suicide in our community. Here are five ways you can help. 

1. Know the signs of suicide. 

Suicide prevention often starts by noticing that someone is struggling. These are only a few of the possible warning signs of suicide:   

• Previous suicide attempts, especially ones that led to a hospital visit  

• Currently talking or thinking about suicide  

• Feeling hopeless or seeing no other options  

• Abusing alcohol or drugs  

• Experiencing recent losses or relationship problems  

• Feeling trapped by one’s circumstances 

• Giving away personal items or saying goodbye to friends and loved ones  

If you have questions regarding other possible signs of suicide, please call the Counseling Center for assistance at 205-348-3863.  

2. Be willing to engage and ask questions.

Most of us on campus are not mental health experts. However, most of us are in the crucial position of building relationships with students. Willingness to engage and ask questions when you notice a student may be struggling can often provide an important link between a student in need and the resources that can help. See the training opportunities below for more information on how you can build your skills in this area.  

• Participate in our QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training series. QPR is a gatekeeper training program that helps attendees be more prepared to identify, engage and refer students who may be struggling with suicide.  

• Request QPR training for your department or group from the Counseling Center at 205-348-3863 or through our program request form.  

• Take a free, 30-minute online training for suicide prevention called Ask, Listen, Refer.  

• Helping Students in Distress Training: The Counseling Center provides training for faculty and staff on how to interact with students in distress. This training is designed to help you understand the signs, feel more comfortable having a conversation, and make a good referral to additional resources. Visit our program request form if you are interested in this training for your department or area. 
  

3. Listen well. 

When stepping into a conversation with someone who may be struggling with suicide, you don’t have to feel pressure to solve problems or fix issues. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is listen well. 

For many people, having someone truly listen and engage with them goes a long way toward helping them feel better or sort through their concerns. Listen to the problem and give your full attention. Don’t rush to judgment. Offer hope that there are people who can and will help.  

4. Know campus referral resources.

After engaging and listening well, it is time to make a good referral. The Counseling Center is available for students who are experiencing crisis. Students can call 205-348-3863 or walk in during business hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. If an emergency occurs after hours, students can reach the on-call therapist by contacting UAPD at 205-348-5454 and asking the dispatcher to speak with the on-call therapist.  

UA also has several additional resources to support students who may be struggling. The UA 911 Guide provides a list of all resources and what issues would be best addressed by each. Please access and bookmark this information and consult it should you become concerned about suicide and other mental health issues among students. You can also encourage students to 

• Access free online resources available through the Counseling Center   

• Reach out for help from trained volunteers by texting BAMA to 741-741  
  

5. Take care of your mind. 

Psychological wellness is often overlooked when evaluating personal well-being. That doesn’t make it any less important.  

Some stress is inevitable. If, however, stress or other mental health symptoms like anxiety or depression are getting in the way of daily life, it may be a sign of the need for additional support. 

For students, The Counseling Center offers several resources to support student psychological wellness, from individual sessions and group therapy options to Mind Matters workshops and online, chat-based support.

For faculty and staff, the Employee Assistance Program provides a number of support resources. 

Suicide Awareness Week 

Join Tide Against Suicide during any of our events for Suicide Awareness Week September 21-27. The finale is our Suicide Awareness Walk fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 27, beginning at the Student Center Plaza. All UA community members are invited to attend. A more detailed schedule will follow in the next few weeks.