Suicide
Talk to a professional. If you have a therapist, call them immediately. If not, call a suicide hotline and/or access campus resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Counseling Center on-call service: 518-580-5555 then follow the prompts
Saratoga Suicide Hotline: 518-584-9030
Campus Safety: 518-580-5566
The Trevor Project, an LGBT crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline, 24/7: 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline, a crisis line run for and by trans people: 877-565-8860
If you are hard of hearing, you can chat with a Lifeline counselor 24/7 by clicking the “chat” button on this page, or you can contact the Lifeline via TTY by dialing 800-799-4889.
To speak to a crisis counselor in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454.
Browse Help to find a crisis center anywhere in the world.
- Find someone you can trust and talk to honestly about what you’re feeling. If you suffer from depression or another mental health issue, educate trusted friends or relatives about your condition so they are prepared if you need help.
- Write down your more positive thoughts. A simple record of your hopes for the future and the people you value in your life can remind you of why you want to continue your own life.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol. Most suicide attempts are the result of sudden, uncontrollable impulses. Drugs and alcohol can make it harder to resist these destructive urges.
- Go to the hospital. Hospitalization can sometimes be the best way to protect your health and safety.
If you are worried about a friend, look for these warning signs:
- Talking about suicide
- Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- A preoccupation with death
- A sudden mood change leaving the person happier or calmer
- Loss of interest in the things one cares about
- Visiting or calling loved ones to say good-bye
- Making arrangements; setting things in order
- Giving things away
If any of these warning signs are apparent:
- Ask your friend if they are thinking about suicide
- Encourage your friend to talk and ask concerned, respectful questions
- Actively listen and show your friend you care and take their feelings seriously
- Suggest solutions or alternatives and reasons to live
- Try to instill hope that things can change for the better
- Take their threats seriously.
- Get help from an outside resource like the Counseling Center a friend or relative, a professor that you trust, or an RA in you residence hall.
A valuable resource for supporting a friend who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and urges can be found at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
Helping someone cope with suicidal thoughts is a stressful and scary experience. Remember to take care of yourself while helping a friend access treatment. If you need advice on how to help a friend or need someone to talk to, you can make an appointment at the Counseling Center by stopping by the office on the first floor of Jonsson Tower or calling 518-580-5555.
Some other useful resources to consider include:
College Suicide Prevention Guidebook
Take 5 Steps to Help Prevent Suicide
Helpful Apps:
MY3 Safety Planning App – A free app to help you stay connected when you are having thoughts of suicide. Available in English or Spanish, through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Find out more at my3app.org
Virtual Hope Box – Modeled on a cognitive-behavioral therapy technique that uses a physical box containing things that remind users of the positive experiences, reasons for living, people who care about them, and coping resources that are available to them. It has multiple sections, including games, inspirational quotes, breathing and relaxation recordings, and a space for users to insert their own photos and inspirational words of encouragement. Essentially it’s like a digital distraction and self-soothe kit. Available through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Suicide Safety Plan - For iPhone/iOS devices only, at this time. This free app is designed to support those dealing with suicidal thoughts and help prevent suicide. Having a plan in place that can help guide you through difficult moments can help you cope and keep you safe. A safety plan is designed so that you can start at the beginning and continue through the steps. You can customize your own warning signs that a crisis may be developing, coping strategies for dealing with suicidal urges, places for distraction, friends and family members you can reach out to, professionals you can call, methods of making your environment safe, and your own important reasons for living. If following your safety plan is not enough to stem a suicidal crisis, then this app also contains an easy-to-access list of emergency resources so that help is just a tap away. For long-term recovery, it also provides a thorough guide to dealing with suicidal thoughts.
Videos:
how to help someone who may be suicidal