Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room if you are currently experiencing a life-threatening situation or if your safety is at risk. Call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Learn more about Emergency + After Hours Care.
A Simple Conversation Can Help Save a Life
The Suicide Awareness & Prevention Office offers a variety of services for individuals, programs, departments, and student groups. Knowing the signs of suicide is important in helping someone who may be at risk. By offering your understanding, reassurance, and support, you can help your loved one or friend seek the help they need.
Warning Signs
Although undiagnosed or untreated depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, there is no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. The most critical signs someone might be experiencing thoughts of suicide can be indicated by a change in behavior. Most people die by suicide exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do. Familiarizing ourselves with symptoms can better prepare us to respond quickly and appropriately.
Conversational Themes: An individual considering killing themself, may talk about feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden to others, feeling trapped, unbearable pain.
Mood Shifts: An individual considering suicide may display signs of depression, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, humiliation, shame, agitation or anger. Additionally, individuals who previously exhibited signs they may be considering suicide may display sudden relief or improvement, which can indicate increased risk for suicide.
Behavioral Patterns: Certain behaviors may signal risk for suicide, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change, including increased use of alcohol or drugs, looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods, withdrawing from activities, isolating from family and friends, sleeping too much or too little, visiting or calling people to say goodbye, giving away prized possessions, aggression, fatigue.
Get Involved
Suicide awareness and prevention is a community effort at University Health Services, as we support those in their darkest moments and equip fellow Aggies to do the same. Check out ways you can “pass it back” for suicide awareness and prevention at Texas A&M University and beyond.
Spread Awareness
University Health Services provides suicide awareness and prevention training opportunities throughout the year to help Texas A&M students, faculty and staff to learn more about the signs an individual may be considering suicide, appropriate responses and support strategies, and available resources. By increasing knowledge we can contribute to an increasingly aware, supportive community - one that is progressively better equipped to help prevent suicide.
QPR offers a traditional approach to understanding the impact and prevalence of suicide as well as intervention tools. This interactive training prepares students, faculty, and staff to recognize the warnings signs, know what to say to someone who might be at risk for suicide and where to refer individuals for help.
Spring 2024 QPR Gatekeeper Trainings:
- Thursday, Jan. 25, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (virtual)
- Wednesday, March 6, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (virtual)
- Wednesday, May 8, from 10:00-12:00 p.m.
Campus Connect is an interactive training specifically for college students that provides participants opportunities to enhance their knowledge, awareness, and skills concerning college student suicide. This training focuses on increasing gatekeepers’ knowledge about students in a suicidal crisis, developing empathic listening and communication skills, and how to compassionately and directly ask students about their suicidal thoughts.
Spring 2024 Campus Connect Gatekeeper Trainings:
- Monday, Feb. 12, from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Monday, March 25, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. (virtual)
Gatekeeper 2.0 offers participants (students, faculty and staff) who have already completed QPR or Campus Connect a chance to refresh their skills and reflect on the challenges of talking about suicide. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss if/how they have used their previous training in a confidential environment. Additionally participants will gain confidence through additional practice and a deeper dive into information about suicide and counseling.
Spring 2024 Gatekeeper 2.0 Trainings:
- Tuesday, April 9, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Kognito At-Risk is a 45-minute, online, interactive gatekeeper training program that teaches students, faculty, and staff how to identify individuals exhibiting signs of psychological distress — including depression — approach individuals to discuss their concerns, and make referrals to appropriate resources. Two versions are available to Texas A&M University students and employees: At-Risk Peer Training & At-Risk for Faculty & Staff.
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Visit tamu.kognito.com
(If you require alternative means of access, please email Monica Colson for assistance.)
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Create your account.
- Create a username and password.
- Input your name and email.
- Agree to terms and conditions.
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Select "Student" or "Employee"
Input UIN.
Student
Employee
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Complete Kognito Training
Volunteer
Aggies Reaching Aggies is a student-led organization dedicated to spreading awareness about mental health and suicide prevention at Texas A&M University. Supervised by University Health Services professional staff, Aggies Reaching Aggies focuses on creating meaningful connections and conversations among students by hosting a variety of events each semester.
Aggies Reaching Aggies members plan and coordinate various events over the course of each semester, often partnering with campus stakeholders. Members are currently enrolled Texas A&M University students - no prior experience required.
Volunteer Application
To apply to become an Aggies Reaching Aggies volunteer, please complete the online application.
If you have any questions, please direct them to aggiesreach@caps.tamu.edu.
Aggies Reaching Aggies Frequently Asked Questions:
The members will work with Texas A&M University Health Services to promote and develop campus awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Members present original ideas for events on campus and work together to plan and host these events. Members also work with campus stakeholders to host larger events.
This may vary depending on each student's unique situation, but as a rule of thumb, we would ask you to commit approximately 2-5 hours per week.
Aggies Reaching Aggies volunteers include both undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds, career interests, and majors. We value having students who represent a broad range of interests.
We work with you and your department to identify whether your time dedicated to this program can be used for academic credit or volunteer requirements. Each request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Donate
The CAPS Excellence Fund supports University Health Services suicide awareness and prevention programs, as well as overall mental health initiatives for Aggies, through the Texas A&M Foundation. Thank you for your support!
Resources for Survivors of Suicide Loss
There is no right or wrong way to grieve but it can be helpful to know others who have lost someone to suicide commonly experience after the death of their loved one:
- Stigma. Survivors of suicide loss often feel that they must grieve in isolation because of the stigma that still exists in our society surrounding suicide. You may feel that it is difficult to talk to others because you fear that they will judge you or your loved one.
- Trauma. Suicide is a shocking event. You may feel symptoms similar to or associated with post-traumatic stress disorder such as: nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks or physical pain.
- Shock/Feeling Numb. Disbelief and emotional numbness might set in. You might think that your loved one's suicide couldn't possibly be real.
- Anger. You might be angry with your loved one for abandoning you or leaving you with a legacy of grief - or angry with yourself or others around you for missing clues about suicidal intentions.
- "Why?"" You might try to make some sense out of your loved one's death, or try to understand they took their life. Many survivors find that they will likely always have some unanswered questions.
- Guilt. You might replay "what if" and "if only" scenarios in your mind, blaming yourself for your loved one's death.
- Despair. You might be gripped by sadness, loneliness or helplessness. You might have a physical collapse or even have thoughts of suicide yourself.
- Feelings of rejection. You might find yourself worrying that your relationship wasn't enough to keep your loved one from dying by suicide.
Coping with suicide loss looks different for everyone. Timelines and strategies will vary by person and situation. Check in with yourself, as able, to prioritize what works for you as you process and navigate suicide loss:
- Do what feels right to you: Don't feel pressured to talk right away. If you choose to discuss your loss, speaking can give your friends and family the opportunity to support you in an appropriate way.
- Be prepared for painful reminders. Anniversaries, holidays and other special occasions can be painful reminders of your loved one's suicide. Don't blame yourself for being sad or mournful. You might consider changing or suspending family traditions that are too painful to continue.
- Don't rush yourself. Losing someone to suicide is a tremendous blow, and healing must occur at its own pace. Don't be hurried by anyone else's expectations that it's been "long enough."
- Expect setbacks. Some days will be better than others, even years after the suicide - and that's OK. Healing doesn't often happen in a straight line.
- Accept your feelings: Loss survivors grapple with complex feelings after the death of a loved one by suicide, such as fear, grief, shame, and anger. Be compassionate and patient with yourself.
- It's ok to cry (or not to cry). Tears relieve the brute force of hurting, enabling us to "level off" and continue living our lives. Tears are not a sign of weakness, they are our human way to express emotions of deep despair and sorrow.
- It's okay to heal. As the months pass we are slowly able to move around with less outward grieving each day. Healing does not mean that you love the person you lost less or that you are forgetting them. It is part of learning to accept death and it's finality of the pain our loved one suffered.
- It's ok to laugh. Laughter is not a sign of "less" grief, "less" love, or of forgetting your loved one. It's a sign that many of our thoughts and memories are happy ones and our dear one would have wanted us to laugh again. It's okay to laugh.
Ask for help. Don't be afraid to let your friends provide support to you, or to look for resources in your community such as counselors, co-workers, or family members.
Find a counselor. You don't have to cope with your loss alone. You can schedule an appointment with a counselor at University Health Services to talk with a professional that is trained to help you through the grieving process.
Find a support group. There are support groups specifically for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Aggies Reaching Aggies is a brand-new Suicide & Prevention Peer Educator Program. Volunteers will facilitate Gatekeeper presentations on the topic of suicide prevention, support, and mental health to fellow students.
This month is dedicated to bring awareness on campus and help end the stigma about suicide. We will have a variety of programs and events for students, faculty, and staff. Please stay tuned for more details!
Empower yourself to recognize and help those who are struggling by becoming more informed and prepared through our various training opportunities. Learn more about QPR training, Campus Connect, Gatekeeper 2.0, and Kognito.
University Health Services offers many services to help support Texas A&M University students. Learn more about crisis intervention, group counseling, individual counseling, and workshops.
There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Learn more about the warning signs of suicide and how you can be more prepared.
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, you are not alone. Losing a loved one to suicide is a devastating loss that shatters our sense of a predictable world. It may take time, but it is possible to heal from this loss. Learn more about the support offered for survivors of suicide loss.
HelpLine provides, by telephone, peer support, information, referrals, and crisis assessment and intervention for Texas A&M students. HelpLine is open from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on the weekends. Learn more about HelpLine.
The Suicide Awareness & Prevention Office hosts various events throughout the year to raise awareness about suicide prevention and support those who have been impacted by suicide.
The University Health Services Counseling & Mental Health Care Excellence Fund supports Suicide Awareness & Prevention programs as well as overall mental health initiatives for Aggies. Please consider donating to one of the many organizations that contribute to efforts to prevent suicide.