SUICIDE

  • Do you wish you didn’t have to go on living?
  • Do you have thoughts of wanting to die?
  • Do you have thoughts of wanting to take your own life?
  • Did you talk about killing yourself with others?
  • Have you told anyone that you were going to kill yourself? Have you talked about death and dying, expressing a strong wish to die or talking about wanting “pain” to end?
  • Have you ever tried to take your own life before?
  • Have you started using or increasing use of alcohol or drugs?
  • Are you engaging in aggressive, impulsive, reckless or disruptive behavior?
  • Are you experiencing feelings of hopelessness, worthless, and that you don’t matter?

RISK FACTORS

Are characteristics that make it more likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide.

  • Previous suicide attempts
  • Mental Disorders, particularly depression, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and certain personality disorders
  • Alcohol or other substance use disorders
  • Family history of mental disorder or substance use disorder
  • History of trauma, abuse or sexual assault
  • Family history of suicide or exposure to others that have died by suicide
  • Family violence
  • Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain
  • Firearms in the home or access to other lethal means
  • Lack of social support or social isolation
  • Major life adjustment
  • Incarceration
  • Perfectionism

WARNING SIGNS

Warning signs indicate an immediate possibility of suicide, whereas risk factors indicate someone has an increased likelihood for suicide, but indicate little or nothing about immediate danger.

  • Starting or increasing use of alcohol or drugs
  • Aggressive, impulsive, reckless or disruptive behavior
  • Talking about death and dying, expressing a strong wish to die or talking about wanting “pain” to end
  • Preoccupation with death
  • Planning a suicide
  • Giving away belongings, tying up loose ends, saying goodbye to friends and family
  • Purchasing a firearm
  • Obtaining other means of killing oneself

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

The risk of suicide can be lowered by certain protective factors. They include:

  • Having a support system (family, friends, and school)
  • Spiritual Beliefs or participation in a religious community
  • Good self-care and positive thinking
  • Communication, planning, and problem-solving skills
  • An ability to manage strong emotions
  • Access to mental health care and willingness to accept help
  • A school environment that encourages help seeking and promotes health
  • Other environmental protections, such as reducing access to firearms and other lethal weapons
  • Environment that encourages help seeking and promotes health

If you feel like you or someone you know would benefit from Counseling resources please schedule an appointment with Counseling Services and check out the electronic resources listed below.

SCHEDULING WITH OTC COUNSELOR

https://students.otc.edu/counselingservices/appointment-request/

PREVENTION HOTLINES

  • National Suicide Crisis Line:  1-800-273-TALK (8255) Is answered 24 hours a day
  • State of Missouri Crisis Hotline for Hearing Impaired:  1-888-380-3328 (TTY)
  • Trevor Hotline for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning:  1-866-488-7386
  • Veterans Crisis Line:  call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.  You can also text to 838255.
  • Burrell Behavioral Health:  417-761-5555
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline:  1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224
  • National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
  • Help-Line for Self-Injury: 1-800-366-8288
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

PREVENTION RESOURCES

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

American Association of Suicidology

The Trevor Project: Saving LGTBTQ Lives

The National Institute of Mental Health

The Jed Foundation

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Burrell Behavioral Health- Crisis Intervention

Additional Resources

National Suicide Resources

  • I’m Alive: The first online crisis center manned completely by volunteers trained and certified in crisis intervention.
  • Suicide.org: A non-profit organization providing suicide hotlines and other suicide awareness tools and resources, categorized by state.
  • Suicidology.org: A non-profit membership organization dedicated to suicide prevention efforts and professional training for suicide counselors and specialists.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Mental health organization providing local counseling and healthcare and crisis intervention services in all 50 states.
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): An extension of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIMH promotes awareness of suicide prevention through clinical trials and evidence-based research.

Support Groups

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Use the search tool to find a support group to help those at-risk in your area.
  • Samaritans.org: Online counseling program offering confidential internet therapy via email or chat for those depressed or having suicidal thoughts.
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Use the support group locator tool to find a virtual DBSA support group to join online, in real time.
  • NAMI Connection: Searchable using the online tool, programs are offered locally throughout the U.S. to provide peer-to-peer support for people with mental illness to share stories and encouragement.
  • Mental Health America: The organization’s Peer Services offer counseling, support groups, and skill-building programs in various satellite sites across the U.S.

Resources for Those Helping Others

  • Befrienders.org: Worldwide organization offering tools and resources to those with a friend or family member in crisis or who is suicidal.
  • The Jason Foundation: Resource dedicated to cultivating prospective counselors and educators specializing in youth crisis intervention and suicide prevention awareness.
  • Speaking of Suicide: A blog-based site founded by a licensed psychotherapist to openly discuss and research suicide and provide information for aspiring counselors and educators in this specialty.
  • Network for Good: Features a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities at various suicide prevention organizations across the U.S.

Resources for College Students

  • ULifeline: The online component of The Jed Foundation campus program, ULifeline offers confidential internet support for mental health issues affecting college students nationwide.
  • American College Health Association: Includes alphabetized listings of resources surrounding health and mental health of college-related topics including LGBT and campus violence.
  • Facebook: The social media site features a “reporting” function if you see a suicidal comment on a friend’s page and click the attached link, which sends an encouraging message to them via email to call a hotline or begin a confidential chat online.
  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Features a search tool to find a local licensed therapist in your area who specializes in mental health.

Resources for Those Who Have Lost Someone to Suicide

  • I’ve Lost Someone: The suicide survivor network of the AFSP, offering comprehensive resources for both immediate grief support and long-term care.
  • Alliance of Hope: Multi-faceted grief and support resource featuring a community forum and memorial message board dedicated to those who have died by suicide.
  • Survivors of Suicide (SOS): Online support resource for suicide survivors featuring member-protected discussion boards, memorials, and special section for friends of survivors.
  • Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: Offers online suicide survivor resources as well as national listings of support groups for those grieving the suicide of a loved one.
  • AAS Suicide Loss Survivors: A component of the American Association of Suicidology, this resource for suicide survivors includes tips, tools, training opportunities and book recommendations.