On Campus

• During business hours:
  • Talk to a mental health professional by visiting the University Counseling Center or contacting us at (616) 331-3266.
• After business hours:
  • Talk to your RA or call GVPD at (616) 331-3255.
• Ask a family member or friend to stay with you. If there is no one available, seek support from a healthcare facility such as a campus health center, local hospital, or urgent care center.
• Avoid alcohol and other non-prescribed drugs.

Off Campus

• Call or text 988 for 24/7 mental health support.
• Call 911: Call your local emergency response services or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room.

DO:

• Listen to them. Be present, and let them know you care about them and want them to live.
• Get the help of a mental health professional. Don't do this alone!
• If you feel safe, stay with them until professional help is available.

DON'T:

• Promise you won't tell anyone.
• Try to shock or challenge.
• Analyze their motives.
• Argue or reason.

Losing someone to suicide is different than losing someone to other causes of death. When someone dies by suicide, those left behind often experience feelings of guilt, anger, depression, and confusion.

Take care of yourself by joining a support group, making your own safety plan, or seeking therapy to process this loss and the way it impacts you.

Many factors can lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts. These include but are not limited to:

• Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Loss of a close friend or family member to suicide
• Loss of an important relationship
• Loss of employment or status
• Academic issues
• Financial problems
• Health concerns

• They may talk about suicide and sound helpless and hopeless.
• They may prepare for their death by making a will, giving away possessions, or saying good-bye.
• They may make sudden changes in their personality, eating and sleeping patterns, or sexual habits.

• Anyone can die by suicide.
• Women are more likely to attempt, but men are more likely to die by suicide.

Fact: If they are suicidal, they've already been thinking of it. If they haven't, you're not going to give them the idea. It can let them know that it is OK to talk to you about their thoughts regarding suicide because you were comfortable enough to ask them about it.

Fact: Most people have thoughts of suicide sometime in their lives. Most people who do attempt suicide or complete a suicide do not suffer from severe chronic mental illness.

Fact: Most suicidal situations are time-limited crises. Finding support and solutions to help them through this crisis is important, and often saves lives.

Fact: Those attempting suicide are in need of professional help. Dismissing a suicide attempt is severely dangerous. Take every suicidal thought and action seriously, and connect those struggling to professional mental health support.