If you or someone you know is thinking about committing suicide see our Crisis page immediately.
Suicide is best conceptualized as something people consider when their pain exceeds their resources to cope with the pain. If you are personally feeling distressed or are having thoughts of suicide, help is available.. If someone you know is in crisis, there are specific actions you can take to help your friend through this difficult time. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 80% of all those individuals that attempt suicide have a mental illness most often depression. Depression is characterized by an intense sadness that that may or may not be explained by environmental causes. This intense sadness can lead people to withdraw from friends and family and feel embarrassed about their behavior. However, it is important to remember that depression is treatable.
There are a number of warning signs that may indicate that someone is at immediate risk for committing suicide. If you or someone you know is presenting with any of these warning signs, contact 9-1-1 or seek help from a mental health professional immediately.
Warning Signs
• Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves, or talking about wanting to hurt/kill their self
• Someone looking for ways to hurt or kill themselves by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Someone talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide; when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.
Risk Factors
• Untreated or under-treated mental illness
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• History of past suicide attempts
• Isolation or lack of social support
• Financial or social loss
• Access to lethal means
• Media that normalizes or glamorizes suicide
• Hopelessness
• Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped – like there is no way out
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Dramatic mood changes
Protective factors
• Strong social support network
• Access to effective treatments
• Restricted access to lethal means
• Good problems solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Good ability to identify and regulate emotions
• Positive beliefs about the future and life in general
• Varied and effective coping strategies in dealing with stress
• Cultural and religious beliefs discouraging suicide
Campus Services
It is not unusual to be intimidated by talking with a mental health professional, but many students seek help at the Counseling Center or other places to assist with a broad range of concerns including adjusting to college, struggling with what they want to do with their careers, working on their relationships, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. There are many treatment options available on and off campus. An initial appointment at the Counseling Center can help determine what type of will be most helpful for you.
The Counseling Center can provide a variety of services for students who may be feeling hopeless or thinking about suicide. We can also assist you if you are concerned about someone you know. There are many treatment options available on and off campus. Contact the counseling center for at 410-704-2512 for an initial appointment to help determine what type of services best fit your needs.
Sometimes a helpful listening ear is enough to help you get through to the next time the Counseling Center is open. In this case we recommend you call one of the following local resources:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Telephone Hotline: A telephone counseling that uses volunteer and peer counselors, funded by Baltimore County
Phone: 410-531-6677
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: A 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis
Phone: 800-273-TALK (8255)
Web: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
If you use any of the above services, we urge you to call us at the Counseling Center (410-704-2512) the next time we are open, so that we can follow-up with you and assist you further.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
