If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you are in immediate danger, call 911.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness and remind one another that support makes a difference. You do not have to be a counselor or mental health professional to support a friend. Sometimes, simply noticing a change, checking in and showing someone that you care can be an important first step.
Starting a conversation about suicide can feel uncomfortable or intimidating. Using C.H.E.C. strategies can help you recognize warning signs, ask directly about suicide, respond with compassion and connect someone with support.
C – Catch Warning Signs of Suicide
The first step is noticing when someone may be struggling.
Warning signs can include:
- Talking, thinking, or writing about wanting to die
- Changes in mood
- Losing interest in activities they normally enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends or family
- Changes in drug or alcohol use
- Irrational, impulsive, or risky behavior
- Access to harmful or self-destructive means
It is important to take these signs seriously, whether you notice them in person or online. You do not need to know exactly what someone is going through to reach out and let them know you care.
H – Honestly Ask About Suicide
If you are concerned about someone, be direct. It can create an opportunity for someone to talk honestly about what they are experiencing.
This could look like:
- “Sometimes when people are experiencing difficult situations, they have thoughts about suicide. Have you?”
- “I care about you, and I want to check in. Have you been thinking about suicide?”
A direct question can feel difficult to ask but approaching the conversation calmly and without judgment can help the person feel seen and supported.
E – Engage With Care
There is no perfect script for supporting someone who is struggling. What matters most is being present and showing that you care.
When someone opens up to you:
- Listen and acknowledge what they are experiencing.
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Give them space to share at their own pace.
- Thank them for trusting you enough to open up.
- Avoid judgment, guilt, or rushing to provide solutions.
You do not have to have all the answers. Sometimes, just being willing to listen can make a meaningful difference for the person you’re supporting.
C – Connect to Support
Supporting someone does not mean handling the situation alone. Respect their privacy, but do not promise to keep a crisis confidential. If you are concerned about someone’s immediate safety, connect them with emergency resources.
Encourage the person to reach out to a trusted professional or support service. If they are unwilling to seek help, you can reach out to a professional yourself for guidance. You are not responsible for navigating a crisis on your own.
Connect With Support at Syracuse University
The Barnes Center at The Arch provides 24-hour support for Syracuse University students. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Barnes Center 24-Hour Support Line at 315.443.8000 or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Additional Resources:
- Barnes Center 24-Hour Support: 315.443.8000
- Department of Public Safety (DPS): 315.443.2224
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- The Trevor Project: Text START to 678678 or call 1.866.488.7386
- Trans Lifeline: 877.565.8860
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 then press 1, or text 838255
Get Trained With Campus Connect
Want to feel more prepared to support your peers? Campus Connect is a training focused on increasing gatekeepers’ knowledge, awareness and skills related to college student suicide. The training helps participants learn how to respond to a peer experiencing a suicidal crisis in a caring and effective way.
Campus Connect is open to all Syracuse University students, faculty and staff. Sign up for an upcoming Campus Connect training using this registration form.
Suicide prevention starts with being willing to notice, ask, listen and connect. You do not have to have the perfect words or know how to handle everything on your own. This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, take a moment to C.H.E.C.k in on someone and remind them that support is available.
Written by Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Leader Sienna Montanari ‘28, School of Education and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs