Signs & Signals
Name one sign that someone might be having mental health-related struggles?
Answers may vary: Skipping class, missing deadlines, failing assignments, not showing up to work, etc.
Asking someone directly if they are thinking about suicide will make them more likely to act on those thoughts.
What is False?
If someone seems stressed, sad, or withdrawn, what is one supportive way you can reach out?
Answers Vary:
“I’ve noticed you seem down, do you want to talk about it?”
"I see this is stressing you out, do we need to go find something distracting for a bit?"
Name one healthy way someone can cope with stress or strong emotions.
Answers Vary: Exercise, journaling, meditation, talking with friends, joining a group or club.
Suicide prevention is a community effort. Name at least three ways your school, workplace, or community can support people, reduce stigma, and promote mental health.
Open-ended – participants can give their own ideas.
A friend, peer, or coworker may show they are struggling through words or actions. Name one way someone might hint they are feeling sad or stressed.
Answers may vary: Talking about feeling hopeless, isolating themselves, or expressing sadness or anxiety, etc.
True or False – Only people with a diagnosed mental health condition think about suicide.
What is False?
If you think someone might be suicidal, what is the safest approach?
A) Avoid the talking about subject
B) Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide
C) Wait and see if they cheer up
B) Ask directly.
Mars has been staying up late working, skipping meals, and avoiding friends. Name one healthy way Mars can take care of their mental health.
Answers Vary: Taking breaks, sleeping regularly, eating well, exercising, reaching out to friends, or using counseling/health resources.
Campus Connection: Where can you locate the Counseling Department AND the Counseling Services Events Calendar?
What is Royall Building, 2nd floor, and Durham Counseling Service Page under the Counseling at NCSSM Homepage?
If a person stops going to activities or hobbies they used to enjoy, what could this change mean about how they are feeling?
Answers may vary: Withdrawal or loss of interest could be a sign of depression, stress, emotional distress, etc.
True or False – People from different backgrounds, such as LGBTQ+, immigrants, or people of color, may face extra stress that increases suicide risk.
True.
Name one local or national resource someone can call immediately if they are having a mental health crisis.
Answers Vary: Valley-wide Health Systems, 988 Lifeline (call or text), The NC Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS-NC), Trevor Project, The JED Foundation: I Want to Take Care of my Mental Health, etc.
What is one way a person can help reduce stigma and encourage others to get help for mental health?
Answers Vary: Talk openly about mental health, normalize seeking help, or share resources.
What is the 3-digit number you can call or text for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline?
What is 988?
If someone posts online that they don’t want to be here anymore, what is the safest first step you can take to help them?
Answers may vary: Check in directly and connect them to help (counseling, 988, a trusted person, welfare check, etc).
What does it mean to be trauma-informed, and how can you use this approach to support someone who might be thinking about suicide?
Hint: Listen, Validate, and Connect.
Recognizing the impact of trauma on people.
Answers Vary: Responding with safety, empathy, respect, non-judgment, etc.
What is one thing you should avoid doing if someone tells you or hints that they are thinking about suicide?
Answers Vary:
Don't judge, shame, or minimize their feelings (e.g., saying “you’ll get over it”).
Don’t promise to keep it a secret if their safety is at risk.
Don’t leave them alone if they are in immediate danger.
Don’t ignore or dismiss their disclosure—always take it seriously.
People face stress from school, work, family, and community life. Name at least two ways someone can get support or care for their mental health.
Answers Vary:
Van Orden et al. (2008) found that a strong sense of belonging is one of the most important protective factors against suicide among college students.
What are two ways campuses can intentionally foster belonging for at-risk students?
Answers Vary: Creating student support groups, peer mentorship, cultural centers, inclusive programming, faculty outreach, and opportunities for meaningful involvement in campus life.
If someone is beating themselves up at a practice and says “I suck and can’t do anything right.” how should you respond to help them feel supported?
Answers may Vary. Ex. check in with them privately and connect them with a trusted adult or crisis support...
1 in 3 adolescents aged 12-17 have serious thoughts of suicide each year.
1 in 9 adolescents aged 12-17 have serious thoughts of suicide each year. 105,000 North Carolina adolescents have serious thoughts of suicide each year.
Progress in reducing suicides globally has been even faster for females than males, with age-adjusted rates dropping by 50% among females compared to 34% in males. What is something governments have done to make this happen?
Research on mental health interventions shows that consistent self-care practices are associated with what reduction in stress or depressive symptoms?
What is about a 31 % lower risk of depressive symptoms for people who engage in consistent lifestyle/self-care behaviors like regular physical activity compared with those who do not.
Suicide is the blank leading cause of death in youth and young adults ages 10-24?
What is 2nd?