Hand reaching for butterfly

Suicide Prevention

Counseling and Psychological Services is committed to creating a culture of connection and support through our suicide prevention programming. We offer training for our campus community to recognize warning signs and respond empathically to those in crisis. We also offer opportunities to build resiliency, connection, and hope through services, resources, and programming.

We all play an important part in suicide prevention in our community. Together we can make a difference!

Logo for #Jayhawks Talk. A beige conversation ubble is bordered by two opposite round red lines. At the edges are yellow dashes that look like beaks. Red text in the center says #Jayhawks Talk

Get Help

Have you come to this page looking for crisis support for yourself or someone you care about? If you need immediate support, you may call 988 at any time to talk to a crisis counselor. Below are more resources for support.

Remember that you matter, and help is available!

Crisis Support and Resources 

Training Opportunities

Jayhawks Talk about suicide— even though it may be difficult at times. We offer a 3-hour gatekeeper training, #JayhawksTalk: Suicide Prevention Training for Gatekeepers, for faculty, staff, and students to increase skills and confidence in providing critical support for students in crisis.

What is #JayhawksTalk? It is an experiential training to equip participants to:

  • Know suicide warning signs and risk and protective factors
  • Respond to students in emotional crisis and ask students about suicidal thoughts
  • Lessen these students’ feelings of isolation
  • Help these students connect to a professional resource

We offer #JayhawksTalk (formerly Campus Connect) training sessions open to the community several times per year and can provide this training for your group upon request. To request a training, email emily.kubalik@ku.edu.

Additional Resources

Suicide Prevention Resources

Educate yourself about suicide prevention work and take action with the resources below.

#BeThe1To

Seize the Awkward

American Suicide Prevention Foundation

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Kansas Suicide Prevention Coalition

Quick Tips: Ways to Support Someone in Crisis

If you think someone you know may be considering suicide:

Do

  • Take all comments about suicide seriously
  • Ask directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?”
  • Listen to the person and acknowledge their pain
  • Help the person feel understood, and let them know that you care
  • Refer to professional help
  • If help is refused, consult with a professional

Don’t

  • Let the anxiety of a “yes” response prevent you from asking about suicide
  • Judge or induce guilt
  • Promise secrecy
  • Leave an actively suicidal person alone

 

Facts About Suicide

There are some persistent myths about suicide—know the facts:

Talking about suicide with someone in crisis does NOT give them the idea of suicide.

Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide is one of the most helpful things you can do, as it helps a person who is thinking about suicide feel understood and demonstrate that you understand the amount of suffering that the person is experiencing.

Suicide is preventable.

Many individuals contemplating suicide do not want to die, they want to end their pain and suffering. Listening, empathizing, validating, and connecting the individual to mental health resources are some of the most helpful things you can do.

We should take warning signs and talk of suicide seriously.

Most individuals who have attempted or died by suicide have given warning signs. Do not ignore suicide threats.