No Bear ever needs to go through it alone. Many people have had thoughts about suicide at some point in their lives. In fact, 1 in 10 college students report having thought about suicide in the last year. For most people, these thoughts do not lead to actions but they can be very serious and represent a real danger. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out now.
How to Get Help:
- If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- You can contact Campus Counseling Services between 8 am-5 pm at (740) 351-3608, or stop by our office located at 1001 4th St, Hatcher Hall, to request an emergency appointment.
- You can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 614-221-5445 or 1-800-273-TALK, which provides free and anonymous assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Students who live on campus or reside in the Portsmouth area can call the Crisis Hotline at (740) 354-1010 or Toll Free 855-381-1010 to be connected to 24-hour crisis hotline.
- For more resources visit our page titled Need Immediate Help?
Helping Someone Else?
Talking about suicide is one of the best ways to prevent suicide. You can follow these tips on how to have a conversation with the person you are concerned about. One common myth about suicide is that talking about it will somehow put the idea in their head or cause them to act on it; however, letting someone know they are cared for and that they can get help can literally save their life.
Suicide Survivors
A suicide survivor is someone who has lost a friend, family member, or loved one to suicide.
Surviving the loss of a loved one to suicide can’t be summed up in a word or two. Survivors struggle with shock, guilt, grief, anger, unanswered questions and so much more. Because of the stigma attached to suicide, survivors may be reluctant to seek help because of shame, embarrassment and fear of blame.
The grief work that follows therefore can be complex and long-term. Continuous support from family and friends is a crucial step to healing. For more information, see the American Association of Suicidology Fact Sheet on survivors of suicide.
Suicide Survivors Resources
The web is full of resources – some good, some bad – for grieving family and friends. The following are some reputable organizations and support groups that may be helpful to grieving survivors:
- Support Group for Families of Suicide Victims – Provides support and resources to those who have lost someone to suicide. Alongside suicide prevention awareness and education, the network also aims to take away the stigma associated with suicide. Valuable contacts and support group resources also are available.
Suicide Prevention Resources
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- The Jed Foundation
- Choosing to Live (1996) by Tomas Ellis and Cory F. Newman – For individuals who are at high risk of suicide and their families
- Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide (2011) by Kay Redfield Jamison – Written by a suicide survivor.