Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention support

Sometimes thoughts, and in particular suicidal thoughts, can become overwhelming. If they spiral out of control, they can put you in danger: 13% of students seriously considered suicide and 2% attempted suicide within the last 12 months (ACHA, 2019). Sadly, suicide is one of the primary causes of university students’ death in the United States (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2014).

At AUP, we prioritize your health and safety. Our counseling services are here to evaluate the risk and urgency of any situation you may dealing with. Recognizing signs of vulnerability is the first important step regarding suicide prevention. Those signs can include:

• Depressed mood: sadness, loss of interest or motivation, reclusive behavior, no joy in pleasurable activities, a feeling of hopelessness, a difficulty to concentrate
• Aggressive/auto-aggressive behavior, impulsivity, recklessness
• Excessive alcoholic or drug consumption
• Changes in behavior, in eating- and/or sleep patterns
• Expressing dark thoughts, having a suicidal plan
• Starting to detach from one’s possessions, disengage from activities.

If you are experiencing any of the above, please reach out to a counselor for support.

How to help a friend in need

When a friend shares having suicidal thoughts, the best approach is to listen, express your concern, and provide support. It is important to understand and validate your friend’s suffering instead of trying to judge or argue against suicide, and to know that our counseling team is here to help.

In case of emergency, these services can be contacted 24/7:

• European Emergency Services: 112
• International SOS: +33 1 55 63 36 35.

Remember that asking about suicide will not push a person to kill herself; she might actually be relieved to be able to share her suffering. It is also important to keep in mind that a suicidal crisis can last several weeks, and it is thus necessary to continue checking-in regularly, even after the first signs of improvement. 

In any case where you have concerns for a friend, please reach out to counseling services for advice and support.