September is Suicide Prevention Month. At UW-Madison, this is a chance for students, faculty, and staff to consider the role we each play in creating a campus community that is compassionate to mental health concerns.
In addition to listening, learning, and reflecting on your awareness of mental health topics and working to challenge stigma surrounding mental health, this month provides an opportunity to look for ways to turn awareness into action to support one another.
Here are three actions you can take during Suicide Prevention Month to support mental health on campus:
1. Know how to support a friend
78% of UW-Madison students would talk to a peer if they were struggling with their mental health (Healthy Minds Survey, 2022). This new, online training launched September 2023 and gives students some tools and resources to better support their peers. Learn about the role of peers in recognizing warning signs, responding supportively, and referring to mental health and crisis support resources.
The training takes one hour, and students can start, stop, and revisit the training as many times as they want.
A version of this training is also available to faculty and staff.
2. Learn about the variety of campus mental health care options
No-cost, confidential mental health services are available to UW-Madison students
University Health Services offers no-cost mental health services to all UW-Madison students, including individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatry services, and more, so students have access to the care they need.
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. There are also on-campus services available without an appointment, including group counseling and Let’s Talk sessions, which are informal drop-in consultations with a counselor.
3. Keep help on hand
Resources and support are available 24/7
Crisis support is also available 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.
Download the new BadgerSAFE app for quick access to many on-campus resources, including Mental Health, Survivor Services, Prevention Services, Veteran Services, and the Dean of Students Office. From the app’s home page, click on the “Support Resources” tile to connect to these resources.