Suicide Prevention

Suicide can be prevented.

Suicide is most often preceded by the onset of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, or other emotional problems and may often be triggered by a significant life stressor.  Difficulties adjusting to a new environment, lack of social interaction and support, lack of coping skills, academic and social pressures, and feelings of failure may trigger suicidal ideation.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, you need to know that you are not alone in your struggle.  Half of all college students say that they have had suicidal thoughts.

If you are contemplating suicide, ask for help!  Call the Counseling Center at 717-871-7821.  Seek out your resident assistant (RA) or graduate assistant (GA), your academic advisor or one of your professors.  If you need to, ask a friend to accompany you to the Counseling Center on the third floor of Lyle Hall.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1800-273-TALK) or seek help from their website.

If someone you know is not acting like himself or herself, or has depression or anxiety, look for warning signs:

• Talks about or threatens to hurt him or herself
• Uses alcohol or drugs to excess
• Talks about feeling like their life has no purpose
• Talks about feeling trapped
• Talks about feeling hopeless
• Withdraws from social interaction
• Acts with anger or rage
• Acts with recklessness
• Has frequent and abrupt changes in mood

If someone you know says that they are thinking about suicide, ask if they have access to firearms or other weapons or if they have a suicidal plan.  Encourage them to seek help from the Counseling Center.  If you live in a dorm, tell your resident assistant (RA) or graduate assistant (GA).

Information from HalfofUs.org and the American Association of Suicidology (suicidology.org)