Suicide Prevention
Know the Warning Signs
A person experiencing suicidal thoughts may not show outward signs. However, the following behaviors may indicate increased risk, particularly when they are new, intensifying, or follow a significant loss or change:
- Talking about wanting to die or feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden to others
- Talking about unbearable physical or emotional pain
- Looking for a way to end their life, including searching online or seeking access to lethal means
- Increasing their use of alcohol or other substances
- Appearing anxious or agitated, or engaging in reckless behavior
- Sleeping significantly more or less than usual
- Withdrawing or isolating from others
- Experiencing extreme mood changes, displaying rage, or talking about revenge
How Staff Can Respond: Using Mental Health First Aid’s ALGEE Action Plan
Mental Health First Aid’s ALGEE Action Plan provides a framework for responding to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, including a potential crisis.
|
Step |
What It Looks Like |
|
APPROACH and assess for risk of suicide or harm |
Begin the conversation privately, share your concern, and ask directly about suicide when appropriate. If the person does not want to talk, encourage them to connect with someone they trust. |
|
LISTEN nonjudgmentally |
Invite the person to share by saying, “I noticed that...” Listen without interrupting or judging and seek to understand their experience even if you do not agree. |
|
GIVE reassurance and information |
Offer reassurance, hope, and clear information after the person has shared what they are experiencing. |
|
Step |
What It Looks Like |
|
ENCOURAGE appropriate professional help |
Help the person identify appropriate professional resources and available options. Offer to support the initial connection. |
|
ENCOURAGE self-help and other support strategies |
Help the person identify trusted supports, community programs, and strategies for caring for their emotional and physical well-being. |
Source: Mental Health First Aid USA, "Using the 5-Step MHFA Action Plan: How ALGEE Helps in Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges”
SUNY Resources
|
Resource |
How to Reach It |
Who It's For |
|
SUNY Suicide Prevention Training |
Campus faculty and staff seeking a brief overview of warning signs and how to respond |
|
|
SUNY Mental Health Resource Finder |
Students, faculty, and staff seeking campus mental health and wellness resources |
|
|
SUNY Mental Health |
SUNY community members seeking mental health and wellness resources |
|
|
SUNY Crisis Text Line |
SUNY students seeking free, confidential crisis support 24/7 |
|
|
SUNY Tele-Psychiatry Network |
Students at participating campuses seeking no-cost psychiatric services |
|
|
Peer-to-Peer Assistance Hotline (Middle Earth) |
All SUNY students |
|
|
Campus Student Counseling Center |
Currently enrolled students |
Additional National and State Resources
The following national and state resources provide additional crisis support and information. Campuses may include them in communications, course materials, office signage, email signatures, student identification cards, and other visible locations, as appropriate.
|
Resource |
How to Reach It |
Who It's For |
|
Call or text 988, or chat online |
Anyone seeking crisis or emotional support |
|
|
Dial 988, then press 1; or text 838255 |
Veterans, service members, and their families |
|
|
Call 1-866-488-7386, or text “START” to 678-678 |
LGBTQ+ youth |
|
|
Text “STEVE” to 741741 for support 24/7 |
Young people from underserved and underresourced communities |
Sample Campus Messaging
The following language may be adapted for campus newsletters, emails, websites, digital signage, and social media.
GENERAL AWARENESS AND RESOURCES
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to learn the warning signs of suicide and become familiar with available campus and crisis-support resources. Visit SUNY’s Mental Health Resource Finder to explore mental health and wellness resources available through your campus.
SUNY SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING
SUNY’s brief suicide prevention training provides an overview of common warning signs and guidance on connecting someone with support. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to view the training and learn how to respond when someone may be struggling.
CRISIS SUPPORT
Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text GOT5U to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor through SUNY’s Crisis Text Line. If there is immediate physical danger or a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or contact the appropriate campus emergency resource.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Mental Health First Aid helps participants recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. Through the ALGEE Action Plan, participants learn practical steps for beginning a conversation, offering support, and encouraging appropriate help. Contact [campus office or training coordinator] to learn about available training opportunities.
Campuses may customize the language to include local resources, contact information, and training opportunities.
For Counseling Center & Health Promotion Staff
Counseling center and health promotion staff may consider the following opportunities to share and incorporate these resources on their campuses:
- Share the toolkit. Distribute to relevant campus groups, including faculty and staff, residence life teams, and other student-facing offices. It has been developed for sharing without additional edits.
- Promote SUNY’s Suicide Prevention Training. Include the training video in campus communications and, where appropriate, staff onboarding or professional development.
- Promote Mental Health First Aid. Share available Mental Health First Aid training opportunities with faculty, staff, and other members of the campus community. The training helps participants recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges using the ALGEE Action Plan.
- Offer brief reminders at staff meetings. Use existing department or division meetings to review warning signs and where to connect someone with support.
- Engage campus partners. Share key resources with residence life, student affairs, public safety, and other offices that regularly interact with students.