How to Get Help for Suicidal Students

According to statistics, suicide is the third most common cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 to 24. High school and college are extremely stressful, and for students dealing with depression and/or low self-esteem, the time period can be unbearable. In ideal situations, suicidal students will ask for help, but in many cases, friends and loved ones might need to be proactive in order to get help for those at risk.

Things You'll Need

• Access to the Internet
• Telephone

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Instructions

Look for Local Resources

• 1

  Discuss your concern with the at-risk student. You must first determine if the student is willing to get help. Oftentimes it is helpful to communicate with the at-risk student and let him know that others care about his mental and emotional health. Students who are able to talk about their suicidal thoughts are demonstrating that they can be helped.

• 2

  Encourage the at-risk student to visit her campus counselors. Many schools have mental health counselors on staff who are trained specifically to deal with teenage depression, suicide and other at-risk behaviors.

• 3

  Ask your pediatrician or family physician for a list of local psychiatrists and out-patient suicide treatment centers. Many small communities and larger metropolitan areas have resource centers and programs designed to help at-risk youth.

• 4

  Find literature and information online that might be helpful to the suicidal student. If you have an idea of the circumstances creating the suicidal behavior, you might be able to determine if certain literature or information would be interesting to the at-risk student.

• 5

  Google 'online suicide support groups' to find other options. Connecting with others who can relate to suicidal feelings is often very therapeutic for those at risk.