Concerned about a friend or family member, click here.
"IT TOUCHES US ALL"
According to the Jed Foundation developed at Duke University, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. The University of Oregon’s Suicide Prevention Task Force is working to eliminate this statistic from the UO campus by increasing awareness of the issue and educating students of the many mental health services available here to help. A Suicide Referral Form can be found here. Visit http://www.ulifeline.com to browse The Jed Foundation’s mental health library, take a self-evaluation and learn more about suicide prevention.
Click here to check out an essay written by Linda Sherman, Ph.D. from the University of Oregon Counseling Center, for general information about suicide. Links to many resources available for information about suicide and suicide prevention can be found here.
Suicide Prevention at UO
The Truth About Suicide...
If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts... you are not alone-even though it may feel that way
- In a year, nearly 40% of college students will report feeling so depressed that it's difficult to function.
- 5-10% will report thoughts of suicide.
- Most suicidal people don’t want to die—they just want the pain to end.
- Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. But many suicidal people develop tunnel vision & can’t see the alternatives that exist for them.
Why suicide?
People have different reasons for thinking about suicide:
- Some see suicide as a way to escape problems.
- Others see suicide as a way to end insufferable pain.
- Some people hate themselves and think they deserve to die.
- Others see themselves as a burden to loved ones.
- Some see suicide as a way to test the love of others or get revenge.
- Suicidal feelings are often a sign that something about a person’s life needs to change. This change, however, need not require ending one’s life.
Whatever your motivation for thinking about suicide, you can help yourself if you —
- Reach out to a friend, family member, resident advisor, mentor or spiritual advisor.
- Avoid alcohol & other substances. Alcohol feeds depression and can increase the risk of impulsive behavior.
- Engage in activities that you enjoyed in the past, even if it takes some effort to do so.
- Keep in mind that no matter how dark it seems, there are other solutions and ways to get relief from your pain.
WE WANT TO HELP YOU FIND HOPE AND A WAY TO COPE WITH YOUR PROBLEMS.
UO’s Counseling Center offers effective counseling that can help you create (or re-create) a life worth living. Counseling is confidential and free to UO students. You can drop in (Monday – Friday, 1pm-4pm) or call 346-3227 for an appointment. While intense emotional stress can blind people to alternative solutions to suicide — other solutions are almost always available. We will work with you to find solutions that are meaningful to you.
UO Resources:
- Counseling & Testing Center - (541) 346-3227
- University Health Center - (541) 346-2770
- Office of Student Life - (541) 346-3216
- Emergency (Campus Only, 24 hours) - (541) 346-6666
- UO Crisis Center (evening / weekend) - (541) 346-4488
Self-help websites & Other Suicide Information:
www.ulifeline.org, www.halfofus.com & www.suicide.org
24-hour Community Crisis Resources Include:
- Eugene Emergency - 911
- White Bird Clinic - (541) 687-4000
- CAHOOTS - (541) 682-5111
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Help is available. All you have to do is take the first step. Talk to someone.
UO is part of the Oregon College and University Suicide Prevention Project, a consortium to reduce the risk of suicide in Oregon university students. For more information about that project, visit http://counseling.uoregon.edu/OCUSPP.htm. For more information about depression, suicide and college students, visit the SPRC or the Jed Foundation