Recognize the Warning Signs and Help Prevent Suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Did you know approximately 28% of Pacific students seeking care at the Student Counseling Center indicate in their initial paperwork that they' re experiencing suicidality?
You may be wondering how you can help or how you can access help. It is important to get familiar with the supports and resources available to students so that you can be ready to make the referral and provide support when you recognize a student or peer in need.
Talking about suicide can feel uncomfortable and scary. While you don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference, it can be useful to learn more and to practice speaking up by engaging in a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training at Pacific.
QPR is the most widely used manualized gatekeeper training that is designed to teach participants to recognize the warning signs, clues, and suicidal communication of people in trouble, and to gain skills to act to prevent a possible tragedy utilizing the QPR method.
QPR training will be offered to the Pacific University community:
- Tuesday, Sept. 28 | 1 – 3 p.m. in person on the Forest Grove Campus. Register here.
- Wednesday, Oct. 6 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. virtually on Zoom. Register here.
There are simple things we can all do to safeguard our mental health, and you don’t have to do it alone. Join the Get Rooted at Pacific event happening in the main lounge of each residence hall from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept 10. Attendees will get succulents and engage in conversations about self-care habits (including taking good care of your plant), while also receiving additional information and resources.
In addition to the Student Counseling Center, a great resource available is the Student Counseling Center’s 24/7 Support and Crisis Line. Mental health professionals are available to provide confidential support and connect students with resources 24/7 by calling the SCC Support and Crisis Line at 503-352-2999.