Suicide Prevention Resources

Getting Help Right Now

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please do not hesitate to call.  Please reach out for help.

If you are not in immediate danger, but need someone to talk with right now, please call CAPS at 860-685-2910 (24/7, Academic Year).

National 24-Hour Hotlines:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
    • All calls: Main number
    • Military Veterans: Press 1
    • Spanish speaking: 1-888-628-9454
  • The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
    • Trevor provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention to LGBTQ individuals. 
  • Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
    • Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. Our operators are located all over the U.S. and Canada, and are all trans-identified. If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, even if it’s just about whether or not you’re trans, please call us. We will do our best to support you and provide you resources.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
    • The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring, Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Access chat HERE.
    • You may also send a text to 838255.
  • Crisis Text Line:  741741

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a suicide prevention training that teaches participants practical skills so that they may identify and engage with a person who might be suicidal, and learn how to get them to a supportive resource.

In this training, participants will:

  • Go over facts and figures around suicide with a focus on the United States, college students, and marginalized populations
  • Learn verbal, behavioral, and situational warning signs of and risk factors for suicide
  • Engage with the Question, Persuade, Refer framework so that you can more comfortably have a conversation with someone you are concerned about and refer them to a supportive resource
  • Complete activities and scenarios to apply what has been learned

The training features space for questions, comments, and/or breaks if needed. Learn more about QPR from the QPR Institute here.

Follow WesWell on Instagram to find out about the next QPR training or keep an eye out on WesNest.

Request Your Own QPR Training: Would you like to request a QPR training for your department or student group? Please click here to submit your request. 

Free Suicide Prevention Course on Coursera

Don’t have the time to attend a training in person at the moment, and would like to explore the science of suicide research, prevention, and intervention in the meantime? Feel free to sign up for Wesleyan’s free suicide prevention course on Coursera. It is about two hours in length and can be completed on your own time.

Please Note: This course is not designed to address personal experiences with suicidal thoughts, suicide loss, or mental illness nor will it address assessing suicide risk among friends or family members. If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone else – please contact your local suicide prevention crisis center as soon as possible. Your life matters and help is available.

Further Resources for Suicide Prevention