Suicide is a serious and preventable public health problem that unfortunately takes the lives of over 40,000 individuals each year. Knowing the warning signs and how to assist someone in crisis could help save a life.
If you believe someone may be thinking about suicide:
Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. (This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.)
Listen without judging and show you care.
Stay with the person (or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person) until you can get further help.
Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
Contact your local IU Human Resources representative.
Flash Course: Suicide Awareness
This SupportLinc short training module on suicide awareness will teach you about the most common risk factors for suicide, some protective factors, and the warning signs that indicate a person might be contemplating suicide. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to get immediate help when concerns about suicide arise.
Additional Resources
SupportLinc is Indiana University’s Employee Assistance Program provider. SupportLinc provides confidential access to licensed counselors who can provide short-term assistance with life issues such as:
Depression
Stress and anxiety
Work-related pressures
Substance use
Family and relationship problems
Grief and loss
Call 1.888.881.LINC(5462) for unlimited 24/7/365 telephonic access to licensed counselors for in-the-moment support, up to six (6) face-to-face counseling sessions per presenting issue at no cost (in-person or virtual).
We Can All Help Prevent Suicide- Five action steps you can use to communicate with a family member, friend, roommate, or co-worker who may be having suicidal thoughts.
Tips for Managers- To ensure you are able to address some of the most important needs of employees following a major change, loss, or sudden, unexpected, or traumatic workplace event.
R U OK? - This is a practical guide to help you ask if team members or colleagues you are concerned about, “Are you OK?” and respond appropriately and safely to anyone who says, “No, I’m not OK.”
If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Crisis & Suicide Hotline at 317-251-7575 (IUPUI) or 812-855-5711 (IU Bloomington)
Protect IU Emergency Planning and Procedures provides quick and simple steps to take when addressing a medical or mental health emergency. Additional resources may be found below for the specific campus.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back in the face of adversity, trauma, stress, and uncertainty. We all have the ability to learn and build resilience through practicing self-care. Below are resources that will help with strengthening and building resilience.
Resiliency Toolkit- The Resiliency Toolkit at SupportLinc provides a variety of resources to help you bounce back from life’s challenges.
SupportLinc Coaching Services- SupportLinc includes access to personalized coaching that can boost your emotional fitness and wellbeing. With guidance and tools provided by your SupportLinc Coach, you can change habits, establish new routines and build resilience.
Practicing Self-Compassion- We are all good at attending to the needs of those around us, but we often forget to attend to our own needs. And that is a setup for things like burnout, stress, and resentment. This session will explore what self-compassion means and offer some simple ways to offer it to yourself.
