- Suicide Awareness Week
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More than 32,000 people in the United
States die by suicide every year. It is this
country's 11th leading cause of death
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death
for college students (- National Mental
Health Awareness Campaign)
Concerning Behaviors
(precursors to suicidal intent)
 Marked
change in behavior
 Deterioration in personal hygiene
 Depressed or lethargic mood
 Hyperactivity or very rapid speech (mania)
 Dramatic weight loss or gain
 Strange or bizarre behavior
 References to suicide
 References to homicide
The Suicidal Person
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It is not uncommon for individuals to engage
in some degree of suicidal thinking.
As a member of the faculty or staff, YOU may
be in contact with persons who have expressed
these thoughts to you.
It is important that you do not simply overlook
these comments, because the person may be
reaching out to you.
Suicidal risk is based on a constellation of
clues, not just observing any one clue.
These clues seem to fall into the following
categories:
The Suicidal Person
Situational Clues –
Emotional Clues –
Verbal Clues –
Behavioral Clues –
The Suicidal Person
It is helpful to:
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Talk about suicide
openly and directly –
ASK the QUESTION
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Try to sound calm and
understanding
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Be confident and caring,
and know the resources
available
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Take charge and call or
walk the person to Sarah
Pemberton (Student
Affairs Case Manager),
the Counseling Center
or UCPD
It is not helpful to:
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Sound shocked by anything
the person tells you
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Emphasize the shock and
embarrassment that the
suicide would be to the
person’s family, before you’re
certain that’s not what he/she
hopes to accomplish
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Ignore comments such as
“The world would be better off
without me.”
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Engage in a philosophical
debate on the moral aspects
of suicide. You may not only
lose the debate, but also the
suicidal person
How to React
Once you are aware someone is having suicidal
thoughts it is important to control your reactions
Try and remember to:
- Get
! The more support the better.
- Remain calm
- Understand it’s not about you
- Assess the situation
- Don’t ignore warning signs
- Listen through the behavior
- Don’t become hostile; or escalate the situation
- Don’t leave the student without connecting them to
the proper resources.
How to React
 Talk to the person (privately)
 Express your concern in behavioral terms
 Be nonjudgmental
 Listen to content and feelings
 Give hope, help explore options
 Maintain clear boundaries
 Refer to appropriate department/person
 Notify School official
Strategies
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Lower your voice and speak slowly
Watch your own body language/space
Use “I” statements
Set clear expectations/use behavioral
terms
Use empathy/active listening
Acknowledge a problem
Resources on Campus
For Emergency and Immediate Response:
• UC Police Department 9-1-1
(non-emergency: ext. 25222)
• Student Affairs Case Manager ext.29354
• Counseling Center
ext. 25531
(includes after hours coverage)
Resources Available
Off Campus
Helplines:
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Riverside Helpline (24hours)
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Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center (24 hours)
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(951) 686-4357
(951) 686-7273
National Suicide Helpline
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(800) 784-2433
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Information contained in this PowerPoint
presentation was adapted with permission and in
part from a similar presentation done at Ohio State
University by their police and student conduct office.