CAPS Continues to Raise Awareness, Offer Suicide Prevention Services for Entire U of A Community

September is National Suicide Awareness month. All month long, the Pat Walker Health Center and the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) have hosted various events on campus to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

Suicide is a complex and complicated topic, but there are steps that can be taken to help someone in need of support. CAPS offers extensive support and resources for the entire campus community.

"We want to foster an environment where the entire U of A community feels comfortable engaging in dialogue around mental health needs, both their own and the needs of others," says Josette Cline, director of CAPS. "CAPS is available to help anyone who may be in distress, and we encourage anyone who may be struggling to contact us."

CAPS offers 24-hour services for those who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to call 479-575-5276 if they, or a friend, are having thoughts about suicide.

"It's important to remember that we are a community that supports one another, and no one needs to go through a mental health crisis alone," says Mary Alice Serafini, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and executive director of the health center.

CAPS provides support to those who need it. CAPS is located on the second floor of the Pat Walker Health Center. CAPS office is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, CAPS support services are available by phone after hours, weekends, and holidays. For more information about CAPS services, call 479-575-5276.

24-hour Suicide Prevention Resources:

• CAPS: 479-575-5276
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (Spanish line: 1-888-628-9454)
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741

An award-winning artist and suicide awareness activist will speak at university.

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, CAPS, in partnership with ASG and University Housing, will host Philadelphia-based artist and suicide awareness activist Dese'Rae L. Stage at 7 p.m. in Giffels Auditorium.

Stage, who is a suicide attempt survivor, will share how her experiences with suicide and struggles with her own mental health, self-injury, and a suicide attempt led her to create Live Through This, a collection of portraits and stories of suicide attempt survivors.

For more information about Stage and her upcoming talk, go to www.livethroughthis.org.