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  • Home
  • Mental Health
    • Get Started – Mental Health
    • Urgent Help
    • MySSP
    • Virtual Let’s Talk
    • One-on-One Mental Health Support
    • Psychiatric Services
    • Mental Health Resources
    • Insurance Billing
    • Doctoral Internship Program in Health Service Psychology
    • #huskykind
  • Medical & Dental
    • Get Started – Medical & Dental
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Dental Care
    • MyChart Patient Portal
    • Flu Vaccination
    • Gender-affirming Care
    • Immunizations
    • Insurance & Cost
    • Lab & Radiology
    • Medical Records
    • Nurse Advice
    • OB/GYN
    • Pharmacy
    • Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
    • Primary Care
    • Sexual Health
    • Travel Medicine
  • LiveWell
    • Peer Health Educators
    • Confidential Advocacy
    • Peer Wellness Coaching
    • Student Care
    • Alcohol & Other Drug Education
  • Safety
    • Get Started – Safety
    • Concerning Behaviors
    • Harassment and Sexual Harassment
    • Relationship Violence
    • Sexual Assault
    • Stalking
    • Suicide Concerns
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    • Get Started – Recreation
    • Self-Care
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Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know needs help now

If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

1. MySSP

If you are in crisis and need to talk to someone, UW partners with My SSP to give students access to same-day, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support, 24/7 and in multiple languages.

There are several ways to connect: 

  • Phone: Call 1.866.775.0608  (If calling from outside the US or Canada, dial 001.416.380.6578). 
  • Online chat: Chat with a My SSP counselor on the My SSP website or on the My SSP app (Apple App Store | Google Play) 
  • Download the My SSP app (Apple App Store | Google Play) to have the full range of services at your fingertips any time.

2. Counseling Center

UW Counseling Center – 206.543.1240

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

3. Off-campus resources

24-Hour Crisis Line (King County Crisis Clinic)  – 866.427.4747

24-Hour Crisis Text Line – Text HEAL to 741741

24-Hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800.273.8255

How can I help others?

It’s hard to know what to do when you suspect someone may be suicidal.  If your friend expresses suicidal thoughts or intent, find a mental health specialist right away.  If you are unsure what to do, contact the 24-Hour Crisis Line (King County Crisis Clinic) at 866.427.4747.  This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here are some helpful tips:

  • Listen and let your friend express their feelings
  • Don’t tell your friend what you think they should do
  • Let your friend know that you will support them no matter what
  • Don’t act shocked
  • Get support from crisis intervention specialists right away
  • Remove any methods of suicide, like weapons or medications

 

What are the risks and warning signs of suicide?

Recognize risk factors and warning signs

Use your knowledge of risks and warning signs of suicide to help your friends and peers find help if they have problems.

Risks

  • Being in an abusive relationship.  Any kind of abuse, including intimate partner violence, can lead to suicide.  If a friend has unexplained bruises or other injuries that they refuse to discuss, you may have cause to worry.
  • Having an eating disorder.  An unexplained, dramatic change in weight may indicate that something is wrong.
  • Experiencing difficulty in adjusting to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans people have higher suicide attempt rates than their straight peers.
  • Depression.  Depression is a mental illness that can increase a person’s risk of suicide.

Warning signs

The following warning signs may indicate that someone is considering suicide.

 

  • A sudden decline in school performance.  Students who suddenly start ignoring assignments and skipping classes may be experiencing a mental health issue.
  • A strong interest in death or violence.  An unusual interest in death or violence may be expressed through writing or artwork, an obsession with violent media or a fascination with weapons.
  • Unhealthy peer relationships.  Students facing difficulties in making friends or suddenly rejecting friends may be at risk.
  • Violent mood swings or a sudden change in personality.  Friends who become moody, withdrawn, or angry may be experiencing a mental health issue.

Warning signs that demand action right away

  • Announcing that the person plans to end their life
  • Talking or writing about suicide or death
  • Being alone rather than with friends
  • Giving away important possessions
  • Neglecting their appearance and hygiene
  • Obtaining a weapon or other things to hurt themselves, such as prescription medications

Resources

  • Go Ask Alice!
  • Samaritans
  • Ulifeline
  • Suicide Prevention Resource Center
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
  • Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
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© 2023 University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Need urgent help?
Click for crisis services

Crisis support

US emergencies: Call 911

Click here for international emergencies

SafeCampus: 206.685.7233

Call if you have concerns about campus safety.

My SSP (mental health support for UW students): 1.866.775.0608

Open 24/7. Online chat via My SSP website. You contact them to request a consultation with a counselor and they call you back the same day.

Crisis Connections (Seattle-area mental health support): 866.427.4747

24-hour crisis line for people in the Seattle area. Call if you have concerns about urgent on- of off-campus mental health needs.


On-campus support

Hall Health
206.543.5030
Hall Health Center

Counseling Center
206.543.1240
401 Schmitz Hall


International support for students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad

UW International Emergency Assistance