September is Suicide Prevention Month, which invites each of us to increase our awareness of suicide, challenge stigma, and take action to support mental health on campus—both your own and the mental health of those around you.
Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, build skills, or connect to resources, University Health Services is here for you, this month and every month. Here are a few ways you can get started.
Build Your Skills to Support Mental Health on Campus
UHS offers online suicide prevention training through Recognize Respond, Refer for undergraduate and graduate/professional students, as well as faculty and staff through Canvas. This one-hour, self-paced training helps participants build their capacity to recognize warning signs for suicide, respond in a compassionate and helpful way, and refer someone to resources on and off campus. Whether you are a student looking to better support a friend, roommate, or classmate, or someone who teaches, mentors, or supervises students, this training is one concrete action you can take this month to contribute to a culture of support on campus.
Learn more about trainings and resources available through Recognize, Respond, Refer.
Find Connection Through Involvement
Looking to get involved in supporting mental health on campus? There are many ways to connect with other students, staff and faculty working to prevent suicide and promote mental health on campus, including joining a mental health student organization, working in mental health promotion, or volunteering at a local or national organization. The Student Organization Fair, which takes place this month, is a great way to learn about student organizations working in support of mental health on campus. See the Suicide Prevention Student Involvement Opportunities webpage to learn about other ways to get involved.
You can also explore the new Mental Health Hub in the Student Activity Center (Room 3203). The Mental Health Hub is a new space created by UHS, in partnership with several mental health-focused student organizations, which will provide a space for peer-to-peer support and programming. Keep an eye out for upcoming events, including visits by Dogs on Call each month this fall.
Explore UHS and National Resources
This month, and every month, UHS provides access to no-cost, confidential mental health services for UW-Madison students, including individual therapy, group counseling, and psychiatry. Same-day, next-day virtual appointments are available, as well as other services that don’t require an appointment, such as Let’s Talk drop-in sessions.
Crisis support is also available 24/7 by phone and text. Add these important numbers to your phone contacts so you have them if you need them:
- University Health Services has a mental health crisis line that is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 608-265-5600 (option 9).
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides nationwide, 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, support and resources for people supporting a loved one in crisis. Call or text 988.
- Crisis Text Line provides 24/7 text support from trained volunteer crisis counselors. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor.
If you’re thinking about suicide, or if you’re concerned for the wellbeing of someone you know, call the 24/7 UHS Crisis Line at 608-265-5600 (option 9), or call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.