Are you having thoughts about suicide?

You are not alone. Many people consider suicide as a way to escape the pain and suffering in their life. But, suicide is a permanent solution to what may be a temporary problem. Please reach out. There is help.

• Reach out to friends and family. Many people feel immediate relief just from having shared their story.
  
• Reach out to someone trained to assist. Talking with a counselor often helps find alternative ways to deal with your problems so that suicide no longer feels like the only option. 
• The counseling services at ASU’s Counseling Center are free for students. Come in Monday through Thursday from 1-4 and Friday from 1-3 for an intake that will help match you up with a counselor. 
• If you need to talk to someone more immediately and it is after business hours, the National Suicide Hotline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or you can connect to them through MySpace at http://www.myspace.com...ventionlifeline. 
• If suicidal thoughts have become so intense that you fear you may act on them, please come to the Counseling Center anytime Monday - Friday between 8 am and 5 pm and let our front desk know you are experiencing a crisis and need to speak to someone and a counselor will meet with you.
• If it is after 5 pm or on a weekend and you are having intense suicidal thoughts, please call the ASU Police Department (262-2150) and ask to speak to a counselor and one will contact you by phone.
  
• To hear stories of others who have been affected by thoughts or acts of suicide go to: http://lifeline-gallery.org/

• About 10% of college students report that they have seriously considered attempting suicide. 
• Most people who make a suicide attempt have shared with at least one person that they are really struggling. 
• If someone you know is talking about suicide, take them seriously and seek help. Do not make promises about keeping suicide talk confidential. 
• Reach out for help from a trained professional. Protecting someone’s life is more important than protecting a secret. 
• If you are not sure how deeply your friend is hurting – ASK.  Ask them directly if things are so bad that they are thinking of killing themselves. While it may seem to be a hard thing to ask, imagine how difficult it is to tell someone that you are thinking of suicide. 
• Make it easier for them – ask directly. 
• Also ask a trained professional for more information. The counselors at the counseling center are available for consultations in which you can call to get more information about how to help a friend. 
• Some problems are too big to carry alone. Suicide is one of them. Let us help you.

• A change in typical patterns like eating, sleeping, or hanging out with friends. 
• Some people will do things to try to numb their painful feelings such as drinking more alcohol, using drugs, or engaging in more risky behaviors. 
• People contemplating suicide may make statements like, “I can’t go on”, “I just wish I could disappear”, or “I wish I wouldn’t wake up”. 
• They may engage in behaviors like giving away prized possessions or writing goodbye letters.