Suicide Prevention

If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm to themselves or another, CALL the IUPUI Police at (317) 274-4911.

If you suspect someone may be thinking about killing him/her self:

• Talk about suicide openly and directly.
• Asking will NOT give them the idea!
• In a direct and calm manner, ask about THOUGHTS, PLAN, INTENTION:
  • Have you been thinking about killing yourself?
  • Have you ever thought about acting on these feelings/thoughts?
  • Are there times you are afraid you will act on these thoughts/feelings?
  • Do you have a plan for how you would harm or kill yourself?
  • Do you have access to weapons? Pills?
  • Have you ever tried to act on feelings like this in the past?
  • When would you act on these thoughts/feelings? What would stop you?
• Try to:
  • Sound calm, understanding, confident, and caring.
  • Emphasize the temporary nature of the problem and permanent nature of suicide.
  • KNOW THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
  • Take charge and seek assistance.
• It is not helpful to:
  • Sound shocked by anything the person tells you.
  • Ignore vague comments such as "The world would be better off without me."
  • Stress the shock and embarrassment that the suicide would be to the person's family.
  • Engage in a philosophical debate on the moral aspects of suicide.

If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm to themselves or another, CALL the IUPUI Police at (317) 274-4911.

If the individual is not at immediate risk, but expresses thoughts of harming themselves or another:

• Encourage the person to come to CAPS. Click here for additional information on when and how to refer.
• Consider contacting one of the 24-hour crisis phone lines:
  • Crisis & Suicide Hotline at (317) 251-7575
  • Midtown Mental Health Center (24 hours) at (317) 630-8485
  • Aspire at (800) 560-4038

If the individual does not agree to seek help and you remain concerned about their safety:

• Call IUPUI CAPS for consultation services.
• Contact the IUPUI Behavioral Consultation Team.

To learn more about suicide prevention see:

• At Risk – A web-based training simulation to assist faculty and staff in identifying, approaching, and referring students experiencing psychological distress.
• Ulifeline – A web-based resource that provides important mental health information, including Suicide Prevention/National Hopeline Network listing the nearest support groups and crisis centers. 24-hour per day contact with crisis counselors is available at 1-800-SUICIDE.
• The American Association of Suicidology – Information, education, and training resources on suicide prevention.
• SAFE Alternatives – A web-based resource to help reduce self-injurious behaviors.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention