Offering Help as a First Responder

“Strive first to understand”

First things first.  Welcome the student, stay close by to assure safety, and if a suicide plan has been enacted, call 911 for immediate help.  The goal here is to protect life in the short term.

“Strive first to understand” is always good advice.  Take your time.  Don’t panic.  Listening does not imply agreement with a person’s outlook, but sympathetic understanding may make discussion possible.  Talking about a student’s fears may replace impulsive urges to die.  Moments of crisis may pass quickly.

References to suicide are often vague or indirect.  If uncertain, inquire directly about suicide.  This will not cause harm or deepen the student’s suicidal intent.  Rather, it will seem to be what it is, a humane effort to understand the depth of another person’s struggles.

It is wise to regard the threat of suicide as a signal of desperation, not manipulation.  As a first responder, all threats of suicide should be taken seriously.

After awhile, gently side with life, with problem solving, with having a future. 
Refuse to accept the argument that suicide “makes sense,” or serves a high moral purpose.

Remember that when a student opts to talk to you about suicide the mere act of talking implies a healthy ambivalence. 

As a first responder your goal is to help a student postpone a dangerous act.  “Let’s try to be present and attentive; Let’s problem solve; Let’s find an expert.”  Your role is to stand with and for a student until you are able to connect them with helping resources.

Is the student’s family a resource?  Are there trustworthy friends who might help you as you prepare to guide the student to help?  When it comes to assessing family resources, you should respect the student’s wishes. 

Is there evidence of a mental health or substance abuse problem?  If so, try to link the student to appropriate resources.  Does the student have a mental health care provider   you can phone?  If not, be sure you are familiar with campus and community helping resources and know how to use them.

Ideally, as a first responder you hope to keep the student safe long enough to connect them, in person, with a professional helper.

Campus and Community Helping Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Curry Health Center, UM
634 Eddy, Missoula
243-4711

• Crisis services offered daily during the academic semesters
• Consultations
• Crisis stabilization
• Available psychiatric consultation
• Suicide risk assessment
• Brief counseling and psychotherapy

After-hours calls and services coordinated by the Medical Department of Curry Health Center call 243-4330 or come to the Curry West entrance during Fall and Sring academic semesters

National Suicide Hotline
800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis counseling and referrals.

UM Office of Public Safety
Phone 4000 for emergencies

Western Montana Mental Health Center
24-Hour Emergency Services
532-9710
Emergency assessments of mental status and suicide risk.

U-lifeline E-Valuator
Online evaluation of depression and suicide risk