Knowing what to do during an emergency can be tough, but sometimes knowing when to call security, for instance, or seek other resources may sometimes be even more difficult. If a student is in immediate danger of harm, then contact security. Otherwise, you might consider monitoring warning signs and risk factors that can lead someone into a moment of crisis.

If you’re struggling with how to ask your student if they’re experiencing a crisis, visit our How to Ask page.

Warning Signs

  • The following are signs compiled from the QPR Institute, an organization providing suicide prevention training. You may consider seeking crisis resources or checking in with your student if you observe the following signs:
    • Talking about suicide – for example, making statements such as “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead” or “I wish I hadn’t been born”
    • Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
    • Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
    • Being preoccupied with death, dying, or violence
    • Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
    • Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there’s no other logical explanation for doing this
    • Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t ever be seen again
    • Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs above

Risk Factors

  • The following risk factors were gathered from the Jason Foundation, an organization focused on educating people and providing resources to prevent youth suicide, as well as the Trevor Project, an organization focused on addressing suicide prevention specifically among LGBTQ youth under 25. In addition to the warning signs listed above, it is important to consider risk factors that might increase a person’s risk for suicide or self-harm, such as but not limited to:
    • Factors of the mind and body
      • History or signs of depression
      • History of mental illness
      • History of being abused or mistreated
      • History of self-injury
      • Tendency to be impulsive
      • Major physical illness
      • Affective disorders (i.e. mood disorders)
      • Previous suicide attempt(s)
      • Aggression and fighting
    • Factors from their environment at Carleton
      • Barriers to mental health services
      • Lack of community support
      • A death or relationship breakup
      • A job loss or change in financial security
      • Feeling unsafe
      • Academic crisis
      • Easy access to lethal materials
      • Cultural factors such as gender roles, transition, and other expectations
    • Factors from their family environment at home
      • Homelessness
      • Family history of suicide
      • High-stress family environment or dynamic
      • Family crisis
    • Factors your student might take part in, experience, or learn:
      • Risky health behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, unsafe sex practices, etc.)
      • Lack of support from others
      • Cultural or religious beliefs that suggest suicide as a solution
      • Exposure to suicide through the media, family, friends or co-workers
      • Unwillingness to seek help
      • Non-suicidal self-injury
      • Victimization at home or in school
      • Difficulty in school, failing grades, bullying others