Suicide Prevention

"There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind." - C. S. Lewis

Kognito

A 45-minute interactive role-play simulation that builds awareness, knowledge and skills about mental health and suicide prevention, preparing faculty and staff as well as students to help support students exhibiting signs of psychological distress, talk about concerns and, if necessary, connect with support services. 

Learning Objectives include:

• Learn about mental health issues
• Identify warning signs of psychological distress, including verbal, behavioral, and situational cues
• Build skills to approach and manage conversations with students , and determine their need for referral to support
• Develop awareness of negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental distress
• Understand the school's specific process for student referral and counseling services

Complete the training here

Campus Connect Suicide Prevention Training for Gatekeepers

Counseling Services offers Campus Connect suicide prevention training to UWEC faculty and staff. This 2-hour, interactive training provides foundational knowledge and skills for any person to be able to respond and help someone who is in a crisis, including those who may be thinking about suicide. Using discussion, activities, and group interaction participants will learn about key warning signs for suicide, how to respond to someone who is in crisis, ask about suicidal thinking, encourage help-seeking, and connect people to supportive resources for the help they need. This training is designed for anyone who wants to build their confidence in being able to respond to a person in distress who may (or may not) be thinking about suicide. Please contact Ashley Walton-Beal for information on upcoming trainings.

SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS

1. Threatening to or talking about wanting to die
2. Increased apathy, hopelessness
3. Poor eating and sleeping habits
4. Acquiring a gun
5. Stockpiling pills/substance abuse
6. Putting personal affairs in order
7. Withdrawal from friends, family, and activities usually enjoyed

WHAT YOU CAN DO IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SUICIDAL

1. Call 988 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
2. See a doctor or therapist
3. Contact the local crisis facility
4. In case of emergency call 911
5. Visit Preventsuicidewi.org to learn more about the warning signs and what more you can do to help
6. Text Hello to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
7. Call 1-888-552-6642 (Northwest Connections Mental Health Crisis Line)

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

• learn more about suicide and mental illness
• join your local coalition
• encourage employers, schools, social groups to provide suicide prevention education