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College of Idaho

Emergency Contacts

In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or Campus Safety at 208-459-5151. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call:

  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988
  • Campus Safety – 208-459-5151
  • TimelyCare – TalkNow (on cellular app or web desktop)
  • Peer Health Advocates 24/7 Hotline – 208-459-5555

Warning Signs of Suicide

There are four types of warning signs:

  1. Situational: stressful or traumatic experience
  2. Depressive: changes in usual behavior, inability to concentrate, socially withdrawn, easily agitated, apathy, crying, sense of worthlessness, appears sad, abusing substances.
  3. Verbal signs: direct or indirect; verbally or in written material (e.g., assignments, papers, etc.)
  4. Behavioral: giving away possessions, writing a suicide note, acquiring means to commit suicide, organizing business and personal matters, suddenly resigning from organizations or clubs.

Look for a cluster of clues.  A suicidal person who gives warning signs will most often present more than one clue.

Do's & Don't's in Responding to Suicidality

  • DO show that you take the student’s feelings seriously.
  • DO let the student know that you want to help.
  • DO listen attentively and empathize.
  • DO reassure that with help he/she will recover.
  • DO stay close until help is available or risk has passed.
  • DON’T try to shock or challenge the student.
  • DON’T analyze the student’s motives.
  • DON’T become argumentative.
  • DON’T react with shock or disdain at the student’s thoughts and feelings.
  • DON’T minimize the student’s distress.

Resources

Western Idaho Community Crisis Center: Free 24/7 walk-in crisis care

Call: 208-402-1044
524 Cleveland Blvd, Suite 160, Caldwell, ID 83605

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text: 988

Crisis Text Line

Text: HOME to 741-741

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+)

Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678-678

FindHelp.org (https://www.findhelp.org/

Filter through a network of local free & reduced-cost social assistance programs to help meet your needs.