To fill out a Suicide Report Form, click here.
Concerned About a Friend or Family Member...
DO:
- Talk with your friend in private. This helps set the stage & may help minimize embarrassment or guardedness.
- Openly acknowledge that you are aware of their distress.
- Speak directly and honestly and acknowledge you are sincerely concerned about their welfare.
- Take your friend seriously - 80% of persons who die by suicide give warning of intent.
- Be available to listen, talk, be concerned, and refer to resources.
- Directly ask if your friend has been thinking about suicide. Asking this question WON'T increase their risk.
- Feel free to talk with someone else (e.g., RA, campus counselor) about your concerns to get ideas and support.
- Listen carefully to why your friend is troubled.
- Try to see the issue from their view without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing.
- Attempt to identify the problem and explore options to deal with the problem.
- Convey realistic hope that underlying problems or issues can be resolved.
- Take care of yourself as the helper – be sure to reach out for emotional support. In a crisis, consider options for restricting the person's access to lethal means, e.g., pills, knives.
- Let your friend know that effective help is available on campus.
DON'T:
- Don't ignore behavior or changes that concern you.
- Don't minimize the situation or depth of feeling, e.g.,"It can’t be that bad . . . it will be much better tomorrow."
- Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. It’s fine to acknowledge that you may not have all the answers. Your genuine interest and support is what matters.
- Don't over commit yourself and not be able to deliver on what you promise.
- Don't promise to keep what they say a secret. You may need to get help & support.
- Don't ignore your limitations, such as trying to help in ways that make you feel uncomfortable.
- Don’t leave your friend alone if they are imminently suicidal.
- Don’t feel that you are alone. Others on campus are happy to assist you.
Counseling staff are available for consultation — 541-346-3227 (M – F, 8 – 5)
UO Resources:
- Counseling & Testing Center- (541) 346-3227
- Student Crisis Line (Eves./Wkends) - (541)-346-3227
- University Health Center - (541) 346-2770
- Dean of Students Office - (541) 346-3216
- Emergency (Campus Only, 24 hours) - (541) 346-6666
Self-help websites & Other Suicide Information:
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 formed to reduce the risk of suicide in Oregon university students. For more information about that project, visit http://counseling.uoregon.edu/OCUSP/OCUSPP.htm. For more information about depression, suicide and college students, visit the SPRC or the Jed Foundation
To fill out a Suicide Report Form, click here.
Concerned About a Friend or Family Member...
DO:
- Talk with your friend in private. This helps set the stage & may help minimize embarrassment or guardedness.
- Openly acknowledge that you are aware of their distress.
- Speak directly and honestly and acknowledge you are sincerely concerned about their welfare.
- Take your friend seriously - 80% of persons who die by suicide give warning of intent.
- Be available to listen, talk, be concerned, and refer to resources.
- Directly ask if your friend has been thinking about suicide. Asking this question WON'T increase their risk.
- Feel free to talk with someone else (e.g., RA, campus counselor) about your concerns to get ideas and support.
- Listen carefully to why your friend is troubled.
- Try to see the issue from their view without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing.
- Attempt to identify the problem and explore options to deal with the problem.
- Convey realistic hope that underlying problems or issues can be resolved.
- Take care of yourself as the helper – be sure to reach out for emotional support. In a crisis, consider options for restricting the person's access to lethal means, e.g., pills, knives.
- Let your friend know that effective help is available on campus.
DON'T:
- Don't ignore behavior or changes that concern you.
- Don't minimize the situation or depth of feeling, e.g.,"It can’t be that bad . . . it will be much better tomorrow."
- Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. It’s fine to acknowledge that you may not have all the answers. Your genuine interest and support is what matters.
- Don't over commit yourself and not be able to deliver on what you promise.
- Don't promise to keep what they say a secret. You may need to get help & support.
- Don't ignore your limitations, such as trying to help in ways that make you feel uncomfortable.
- Don’t leave your friend alone if they are imminently suicidal.
- Don’t feel that you are alone. Others on campus are happy to assist you.
Counseling staff are available for consultation — 541-346-3227 (M – F, 8 – 5)
UO Resources:
- Counseling & Testing Center- (541) 346-3227
- Student Crisis Line (Eves./Wkends) - (541)-346-3227
- University Health Center - (541) 346-2770
- Dean of Students Office - (541) 346-3216
- Emergency (Campus Only, 24 hours) - (541) 346-6666
Self-help websites & Other Suicide Information:
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 formed to reduce the risk of suicide in Oregon university students. For more information about that project, visit http://counseling.uoregon.edu/OCUSP/OCUSPP.htm. For more information about depression, suicide and college students, visit the SPRC or the Jed Foundation