Preemptive measures against Suicide and Psychological Crisis

1. Participate in training and workshops related to mental health available through the University Counseling and Testing Center.
2. Be familiar with campus resources such as hotline numbers.

i.Be alert for signs of suicide or distress:
a. Talking about killing oneself, ending everything, or being unusually preoccupied with death.
b. Giving away personal possessions or tying up loose ends.
c. Expressing hopelessness or worthlessness.
d. Sudden changes in behavior, personality, or self-image.
e. Talking about getting access to means of suicide.
ii.Remain calm.
iii.Express your concerns to the person, share what you are noticing that causes you to be concerned, and offer to listen to what they have to say. Encourage them to seek professional help and offer to help them do so.
iv.If you believe the person might be considering suicide, ask them directly if they are thinking about killing themselves.
a. If someone else is at imminent risk of injuring or killing themselves, call 999 or Hot Lines immediately. Do not try to physically stop them.
b. If the risk is not immediate, encourage the person to call the University Counseling and Testing Center or visit the Health Unit.
c. If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts or any other crisis, call the University Counseling and Testing Center crisis line.

i.If the person in crisis is a student, call the Office of the Dean of Students.
ii.If the person in crisis is a faculty or staff member, call Human Resources.
iii.After assisting someone else with a crisis, take time to help yourself by relaxing and talking with friends or family about what you experienced.

Before Evacuation
i.Identify at least two evacuation routes from the building or spaces where you spend time.
ii.Practice evacuating using both routes.
iii.Identify a location where you can secure or shelter-in-place and secure-in-place.
iv.If you anticipate needing special assistance with evacuation, students may contact the Directorate of Disability or Directorate of Security.
v.Plan with members of your building who will take a head count after evacuation to ensure everyone is safely evacuated.

i.On activation of emergency alarm collect the belongings that may be required in evacuation.
ii.Remain at your work station, place of study if you require assistance.
iii.Once your assistance arrives (or if you don’t require assistance) make you way through the emergency exits.
iv.With your assistant move to assembly point for further instructions.
v.At assembly point you or your assistant must report your presence to the person in charge of evacuation.
vi.Remain at the assembly point until you are told to return to the building by the person in charge of the evacuation.