There are many resources available on campus for students, faculty and staff who are depressed or experience suicidal thoughts and tendencies. For more information, choose one of the following:
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Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides various counseling services, educational and preventive initiatives, training programs, outreach, and consultation at no charge for currently enrolled University of Michigan-Ann Arbor campus students.
Common reasons students seek out CAPS service include, but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, self esteem, academic role and relationship issues.
Need help with an urgent concern?
CAPS offers after hours support by a licensed mental health professional to any U-M student or any person concerned about a U-M student. CAPS After Hours is available weekends, evenings and holidays by calling (734) 764-8312 and pressing 0.
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The Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) is a University of Michigan office that offers a number of services designed to help faculty, staff and their immediate family members resolve personal or work related concerns. Services include:
- Short-term counseling
- Supervisory consultations
- Personalized coaching
- Critical incident, trauma and grief counseling (available 24/7)
- Return to work transitions
- Training and education (“Brown Bags”)
All FASCCO services are free of charge and confidential.
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The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential, no-cost service for Michigan Medicine faculty, staff and their families. Services include:
- Counseling
- Support groups
- Crisis response and prevention
- Work and career coaching
- Return to work transitions
- Work group consultations
- Training and education (“Brown Bags”)
Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent suicide is to increase student, faculty and staff awareness of risk factors and signs of potential suicidal behavior. These include but are not limited to:
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- Discussing or making suicide plans
- Discussing or researching suicide methods or other related information
- Making statements indicating that family and friends would not miss them
- Expressing hopelessness or anger at self and the world
- Making direct statements like “I want to die” or “I do not want to live anymore”
- Making indirect statements like “I’m no good to anyone,” “Nothing matters anyway,” “I want to go to sleep and never wake up” and “They’ll be sorry when I’m gone”
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- Deep or prolonged grief over any loss—a death, breaking up of a relationship, divorce of parents, death of a pet, etc.
- Recent suicide or history of suicide in the family
- Trouble with the law
- Persistent problems on campus (in class, with friends, etc.)
- Family disruption
- Significant relationship issues
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- Previous suicide attempts or gestures
- Distribution of personal possessions
- Dramatic change in performance (grades, etc.)
- Risky behavior
- Alcohol and/or substance abuse
- Bored attitude, listlessness
- Sadness, crying or being tearful
- Sudden positive behavior change following a period of depression
- Sudden mood swings
- Excessive absences from class
- Isolation from friends
- Self-harm such as scratching, cutting, marking body or other self-destructive behaviors
- Significant weight increase or decrease
- Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene
- Death themes through creative expression
Response
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger because of thoughts of suicide, there is help available. Call 911 immediately.
DPSS can provide an officer to transport you or someone else on campus to U-M Psychiatric Emergency Service with professional care and courtesy. Call (734) 763-1131 (available 24/7).
Other resources include:
