Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24 and the 11th leading cause of death in West Virginia. Below are symptoms and resources if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Learn to recognize the signs that you or someone you know may be at risk. These include isolation, substance abuse, anxiety, hopelessness, withdrawal, and change in mood or behavior including loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, and changes in sleep.
If any of the above symptoms apply to you or someone you know, please contact the Student Counseling Office at 304.829.7572 or stop in the office on Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. If it is after hours, please contact Security at 304.829.7744.
Additionally, if you or someone you know is at risk or having suicidal thoughts, immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433) or the National Suicide Lifeline Network at 1.800.273.TALK (8255). Take seriously all suicide threats and all suicide attempts. These calls are free and confidential. In the interim, if you or the person you are concerned about has access to firearms, pills, sharp objects or other dangerous means to hurt or kill oneself, remove the items or get yourself or the person you are concerned for away from the objects.
During an emergency, please dial 911 for immediate assistance.
Additional resources:
Prevent Suicide WV
Originally known as the Helping Our Teens Thrive Coalition, what is now known as the West Virginia Council for the Prevention of Suicide was developed to prevent suicide of individuals in West Virginia through the creation of educational seminars and workshops as well as online resources, including the above website. You may also contact staff at 304.618.5044 or 304.415.8872. In the event of an emergency, be sure to call 1.800.273.8255.
ULifeline
ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center, where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional help. It is a project of The Jed Foundation, which works to protect the emotional health of college students nationwide.
MentalHealth.gov
Mentalhealth.gov is a Department of Health and Human Services online resource for people looking for information about signs of mental health problems, how individuals can seek help, and how communities can host conversations on mental health. The website includes videos of people who share their stories about mental health problems and recovery in addition to a variety of other resources.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
This website is the online web resource connected to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.TALK (8255)) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Lifeline’s national network of local crisis centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals day and night. The website offers additional resources in support of the Lifeline.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities by providing a variety of informational and referral resources. SAMHSA can be contacted at 877.SAMHSA.7 or 800.487.4889.
Anxiety.org
Anxiety.org provides the latest and most relevant information on anxiety disorders curated from top experts. The website includes information on different symptoms and causes of anxiety disorders including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as the link between anxiety, depression and suicide.
Start Your Recovery
StartYourRecovery.org is a tool that helps students take steps toward a more healthy relationship with drugs and alcohol. SYR helps individuals learn about addiction, recognize signs of a problem, and find local support and treatment. Visitors to the site can also hear stories from their peers who have overcome substance abuse challenges. It’s a free resource and was developed based on input from leading clinicians, people in recovery, and experts from the White House and SAMHSA. We have also added a new content page directed specifically at a collegiate audience: College Students Page.