Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme, “Creating Hope Through Action,” calls us to increase our awareness of suicide, challenge stigma, and take action to support mental health on campus.
Taking action to support mental health and prevent suicide can look different for everyone. Whether you are looking to grow your knowledge, connect to resources, or get involved in mental health work on campus, you can make a difference. Throughout September, UHS encourages you to reflect on the ways you can support mental health this month and every month.
Here are three simple actions you can take during Suicide Prevention Month:
1. Build your knowledge and skills to prevent suicide at UW-Madison.
UHS offers Suicide Prevention Training: Recognize Respond, Refer for undergraduate and graduate/professional students, as well as faculty and staff, online through Canvas.
This 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. The training takes one hour, and participants can start, stop, and revisit the training as many times as they want.
2. Explore mental health care options available through UHS.
No-cost, confidential mental health services are available to UW-Madison students through UHS. Individual counseling, group counseling, and psychiatry services are available by appointment. An Access Appointment is the first step in getting care—an access specialist will work with you to better understand your needs and help connect you with mental health care providers on or off campus. Same- and next-day virtual counseling appointments are also available through Uwill.
Some UHS mental health services are available without an appointment, including Let’s Talk drop-in sessions and online peer support through Togetherall.
3. Get involved.
There are many ways to get involved and 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.
See the Suicide Prevention Student Involvement Opportunities webpage to learn more.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources
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.
You can also carry support with you with the BadgerSAFE app. From the app’s home page, click on the “Support Resources” tile to connect to mental health and other campus resources.
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.