Suicide Prevention Resources

Suicide prevention at Hampshire College is community-wide effort that encourages understanding, fights stigma that can be a barrier to seeking mental health support, and fosters wellness and healing for all our community members. 

♡  Things to remember:
You are enough.
You are not alone. 
You can help give someone hope by showing that you care. 

 Warning Signs

  • Giving away personal possessions of great value and importance.
  • Lack of interest in activities that were once favorites.
  • Increase use/abuse of alcohol and drugs.
  • Engaging in high-risk behavior such as mixing drugs and alcohol.
  • Physical and emotional pain that is severe.
  • An increase/decrease in eating and sleeping.
  • Withdrawal from friends and loved ones.
  • Saying things such as "I can’t take it anymore," "No one would notice if I were gone," "I am never going to get better."
  • Having a plan/disclosure of previous attempts.
  • A recent trauma from which the person is struggling to recover.

Learn more at Reachout.com or The Trevor Project.

Campus Resources for Emergencies: 

Campus Mental Health Support (non-emergency):

  • Hampshire College Health & Counseling Services: 413.559.5458.
    • Normal working hours are 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. Same-day appointments available for urgent situations.
    • After hours and on weekends: Press 1 to speak with a clinician. Be aware that there is sometimes a wait of up to 5 minutes before you connect with someone. Do not hang up.

For additional support/referral information:

  • Dean of Students Office: 413.559.5412
  • Spiritual Life: 413.559.5282
  • Wellness Center: 413.559.5743

Local & National Helplines & Text Support

Call or text for 24 Hour Support:

  • Hampshire County Clinical & Support Options (CSO): 413-586-5555 for crisis support, assessment, and stabilization (available 24/7). 
     
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255. Free and confidential.
     
  • The Trevor Project - for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24: 1.866.488.7386 or text TREVOR to 202.304.1200. Free and confidential.
     
  • Text support for young people of color: Text STEVE to 74174
     
  • Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741
     
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233 or text "START" to 88788 (includes Spanish and other language options). Free and confidential.
     

Other support lines (not 24 Hour):

  • StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1.844.762.8483. Culturally-appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans, available every day from 6-9 p.m. ET.  Free, confidential & anonymous.
     
  • Trans Lifeline (peer support hotline run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers): ​877.565.8860  *see site for current hours; due to tech upgrade, operating at reduced hours/capacity in early fall 2021


Surviving in Crisis (Safety Planning)

There may be times when you are confronted by challenges that feel completely overwhelming or life-threatening, even if you are doing everything “right.” If this happens, it can be hard to think about how to get through it. Having a plan ahead of time can help—sometimes it can be as simple as just remembering what is important in your life. Check out a great safety planning resource here, and learn more about in-depth safety planning through creating a T-MAP (transformative mutual aid practices) plan.

Helping a Friend

  • Listen: Be an active listener; allow them to express what they are feeling without judgment. 
  • Express concern: Encourage them to seek additional resources such as Health and Counseling services.
  • Ask: be direct and talk openly. Ask them if they have had any suicidal thoughts, plans, or intentions. Take their comments seriously; do not dare them to do it or brush them off.
  • Ask for help: if they are in immediate danger call Campus Safety and Wellbeing, or health and counseling services for urgent assistance.
  • Self-care: Reach out to someone you trust, seek support for yourself.

Learn more about how to start conversations with friends who are struggling, help friends reach out for support, and more at the JED Foundation.

For additional support, check out:

CULTURALLY SPECIFIC RESOURCES

Stay In Touch With The Dean of Students Office

413.559.5412