The end of the semester can be a difficult time for students. Added pressure to perform well, meet expectations or reach certain milestones can negatively impact the mental health of many. College students are at increased risk for suicide, especially during high-stress times of the year. Talking about suicide, even if the conversation is brief, can encourage people who are at risk to seek support.
Here are some tips for staff and faculty who are concerned that a student 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.听
Here are some signs to watch out for:
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- Sudden changes in academic performance (e.g. cutting class, missing assignments, etc.)
- Being unable to sleep or sleeping all the time (including in class)
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
- Neglecting their appearance or hygiene
- Increased alcohol or other drug use
- Withdrawing from friends, family or peer groups
- Engaging in violent or self-destructive behaviors
- Expressing feelings that life is meaningless or there is no reason to live
- Acting recklessly or engaging in risky behaviors
- Feeling desperate or trapped, like there is no way out
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Noticeable decline or worsening of mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.)
- Giving away possessions
If you notice these warning signs, there are ways you can support students and help them connect with resources.
Red Folder听is a great tool for faculty and staff that walks you through the steps of recognizing concerning behaviors, reaching out to students and referring them to additional resources.
Share your concerns
If you鈥檙e concerned about a student 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 others in class.鈥 Acknowledging their distress can help open the door for conversation.
If you鈥檙e not comfortable approaching a student 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. You can also reach out to the听health and wellness liaisons听within your college for additional support.听
Ask the question
When talking with students, 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 students, 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 mental health resources on campus.
Listen
Listen to students without judgment, and resist the urge to give them advice. It鈥檚 important to understand our students鈥 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 dissipates with it. However, understanding the source of our students鈥 pain (e.g. academic pressures, mental health concerns, etc.) can help us better support them and connect them with resources.
Manage your emotions
Talking about suicide can be challenging, especially if a student says they are considering committing suicide. It鈥檚 important to notice your own emotional response and听seek support听if needed. If students pick up on our own distress or anxiety when discussing the topic of suicide, they may feel like we are not able to handle what they have to tell us and may shut us out. 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 students know that there are resources available to help them and things can get better. Here are some on-campus resources that are available to help students who are struggling with mental health concerns or thoughts of suicide.
鈥嬏齀f you or someone you know is threatening to imminently kill or harm themselves, call 911 and request emergency mental health support.
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
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.
Urgent resource
Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM provides support for students throughout their time at CU Boulder. They are here to help students identify issues and appropriate resources. They also work collaboratively with students to develop an action plan.
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.
Resources for staff and faculty
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
FSAP provides free short-term counseling to CU Boulder staff and faculty. All FSAP providers are trained as generalist counselors and are equipped to help you navigate a wide range of personal- and work-related issues.
Available to staff and faculty
Crisis services
If you or a colleague is in need of urgent or same-day support, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988 or 800-273-8255 (English) or 888-628-9454 (Spanish).
Available to staff and faculty
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.
Available to staff and faculty
Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM provides individualized support to students. SSCM case managers connect students with campus partners, community resources and support systems, while also building a trusting relationship and coaching them toward self-advocacy.
Student referrals
Health and Wellness liaisons
CU Boulder colleges and schools have access to dedicated teams of liaisons from Counseling and Psychiatric Services, the Office of Victim Assistance and Health Promotion.听
Student referrals
Red Folder
Red Folder provides information on how to recognize signs of distress, tips for responding and how to refer a student to the appropriate campus resources.听
Student referrals