Mental Health Crisis

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age individuals, which is why CAPS partners with a wide range of campus groups and departments to build comprehensive initiatives for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. CAPS also works closely with the campus community when affected by a suicide. 

CAPS is constantly searching for innovative ways to spread prevention efforts throughout the campus community. 

Suicide prevention efforts are represented at many events throughout the academic year including Suicide Prevention Week every September.

Departments and student groups interested in receiving more personalized training, presentations, discussions or representation at an event are encouraged to contact CAPS at 479-575-5276.

Learn more about suicide prevention at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Crisis text line 741-741.

QPR stands for: Question, Persuade, and Refer: 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Suicide is everybody's business; look out for one another. Medical professionals have to know CPR; however, it's best for all of us to know it so if we see someone in danger, we are equipped to help. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to get a person at risk the help they need, just like someone who is trained in CPR can help someone in need and get them to professional care they need. You might be surprised and may find it useful at some point in your life with someone you know and care about.

You may access an online QPR training by going to http://www.qprtraining.com/setup.php and entering the code UARK. Login with your University of Arkansas email address, and you will be directed to the QPR online training which will guide you through how to recognize warning signs of suicide, common myths and facts associated with suicide, tips for asking the suicide question, methods for persuading suicidal individuals to seek help, ways of referring at risk individuals to local resources.

According to the National Mental Health Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age students, with an estimated 1,088 occurring on college campuses each year. With QPR training you can learn how to save the life of a student, friend, colleague, family member, or neighbor.

If you would like to have a personalized QPR training for your class, Greek house, faculty meeting, or RSO, please contact CAPS at 479-575-5276. Each attendee will receive a QPR booklet and card with information on suicide prevention, as well as resource information for treatment providers and support groups within their community. There will also be time at the end of the training for individualized Q&A.

There’s no single factor that can be identified as a sign that someone wants to kill themselves. However, there are some common signs that may indicate that someone is considering suicide and may be in need of help.

• Changes in sleeping patterns or always feeling tired
• Changes in appetite or fluctuations in weight
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Overwhelming guilt
• Diminishing ability to think, concentrate or make decisions
• Expressing feelings of abandonment
• Expressing a feeling of being trapped with no way out
• A sudden positive mood despite their situation not improving
• Current or past psychiatric diagnosis (90% of individuals who die by suicide have had a mental health diagnosis)
• A past history of attempted suicide (About 20% of people who die by suicide had previously attempted suicide)
• Impulsive, self-destructive or risky behavior
• A recent loss including relationships, career failure, or a purpose in life
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society.
• Talking or writing about death (sometimes indirectly)
• Making statements as if they are saying goodbye or joking about suicide. (“My family would be better off without me”, “I wish I could kill myself” for example)
• Suicidal individuals may communicate these sentiments through email, text messages, as Facebook posts or through other social media outlets.
• Giving away prized possessions
• Writing goodbye letters
• Seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means of committing suicide
• Trouble going to classes, showing up at work, meeting socially with others, or doing basic tasks to take care of themselves.
• Increased use of alcohol, use of other drugs

Please note: If the person you are talking to is in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Dial 911 from a landline or if you are off-campus. Dial UAPD Emergency 479-575-2222 from a cell phone if you are on campus.

Suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, especially with someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Here’s some tips to help make it a little easier.

• When you talk to them, express your concern for them.
• Don’t be afraid to address the topic of suicide directly. Ask this person if they ever think about suicide.
• Listen to what they have to say, show interest in their concerns, offer them support, and take their situation seriously.
• Don’t swear to secrecy. When someone tells you they want to die by suicide, always consult with others and seek support.
• Help them find assistance and follow up with them after they get help.

Call CAPS at 479-575-5276 and leave a message for the Suicide Prevention Coordinator if you have questions, or would like to request a suicide prevention presentation.

• Trans Lifeline –Transgender peer emotional and financial support. They have a high call volume and do not have the volunteers to handle all the calls at times. They work closely with Suicide Prevention Lifeline to be more trans-aware and refer people to call SPL if they cannot talk to someone at Trans Lifeline. Call 1-877-565-8860. 
• The Trevor Project – Information and support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7 all year around. The Trevor Lifeline is a crisis intervention and suicide prevention line for LGBTQ youth. Call 1-866-488-7386.
• LGBTQ+ Sexual Health Education Resources – Facts for either individuals to educate themselves or people to educate others on sexual health topics related to LGBTQ+ 
• It Gets Better – Hope for LGBTQ+ – A place to connect LGBTQ+ people around the world 

• Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988 and then press option 1 
• National Resource Directory – This directory contains validated resources that support recovery, rehab, and reintegration for veterans, their family, and their caregivers 
• VA Local Resources – This directory can help veterans find local counseling, benefits assistance, and other resources such as support groups 
• Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator – This is a confidential and anonymous source of information for those looking for potential treatment of mental health struggles or substance abuse issues 

• Postpartum Support International and Helpline – This resource is for any woman who has given birth and is experiencing postpartum depression or has experienced pregnancy loss, infant or child loss, or other perinatal mental health disorders. This website contains information for their helpline, online support groups, loss and grief resources, and more 
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) 

• Mom’s Mental Health Matters – Education and resources surrounding the effects of birth on mental health and what to do about it 

• Therapy for Black Girls – This resource is a tool that can help find therapists specific to the common needs of black girls 
• Therapy for Black Men – This resource is a tool that can help find therapists specific to the common needs of black men 
• Center for Healing Racial Trauma – Healing Trauma can be vital to suicide prevention. This resource offers services and training to help marginalized communities heal 
• BEAM – Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective – This institution builds grants, holds trainings, and builds movements to help heal the black community 
• Black Mental Health Alliance – This resource provides resources and community education about healing practices and culturally relevant approaches to racial challenges as well as empowering the black community 

• Neurodiversity Network – This resource contains comprehensive information on where you can find yourself or someone you know help with mental health struggles that you may be facing. This includes crisis numbers, blogs where you can connect with others, and more 
• Autism & Warning Signs of Suicide – This resource helps yourself and others become aware of what it might look like if an autistic person is contemplating suicide and what to do to intervene to help yourself or them 
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network – Because autism is sometimes misunderstood or ignored by healthcare professionals, it’s important to know how to self-advocate for your own mental wellness. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has many resources to educate on your rights, how to stand up for yourself, and updates on various laws and other things going on in the world that could impact you