Suicide awareness and prevention: A shared responsibility and the small steps that save lives

Student mental health is one of the most pressing issues facing higher education today. With nearly 60% of students experiencing mental health challenges, the scale of concern continues to grow year on year.

In the U.S. alone, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-34. Every hour and a half, a young person dies by suicide, with an estimated 200 attempts made for every life lost. These numbers are not just statistics, they represent real students in our lecture theatres, residence halls and on our campuses.

It’s likely that right now, somewhere in your institution, perhaps even in your classroom, there’s a student quietly struggling.

But things don’t have to be this way. Suicide is preventable, and we all have a role to play. Awareness, education and compassion can save lives. At TalkCampus, we’re committed to empowering university teams to feel confident in recognising the signs that someone may be at risk, and to open up conversations that could be life-changing.

A growing imperative and a shared responsibility

In recent years, a number of U.S. states have introduced legislation requiring all higher education staff to receive training on recognising the signs of depression and suicide, and on how to refer students to appropriate support services. This legal shift reflects a growing recognition that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of mental health professionals.

Educators, wellbeing staff, campus security, admin teams, peers- each of us has the potential to notice when something’s not quite right and offer a lifeline.

Recognising the signs

One of the most important things we can do is learn to recognise when a student might be struggling.

Depression is a major risk factor for suicide, and the signs can be subtle. Students may appear withdrawn, hopeless, unmotivated, or display a noticeable decline in academic performance. In some cases, you may observe more overt behaviours such as self-harm or references to researching suicide methods.

These signs don’t always mean a student is suicidal but they are signals that the student may be in distress and needs support.

Starting the conversation

It’s normal to feel anxious about saying the wrong thing but the truth is, showing care and initiating a conversation can make all the difference.

You don’t need to be a trained counsellor to start. What matters most is your compassion and your willingness to listen.

Try opening with something simple and non-judgmental, such as:

“I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a bit different lately, and your grades have dropped a little. I just wanted to check in, how are you doing?”

Continue with open-ended questions, and most importantly, don’t shy away from asking directly if they are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It’s a tough question to ask, but for a young person who’s struggling, it can be a huge relief to be invited to speak openly.

You won’t make things worse by asking and in fact, it may be the first time they feel safe enough to share what they’re experiencing.

Why these conversations matter

Talking about suicide is hard. It’s emotional, uncomfortable and often feared. But it’s also a conversation that could save a life.

Creating a campus culture where students feel seen, heard and supported can shift the tide on this issue. When we normalise these conversations and equip staff with the confidence to have them, we create a stronger, more connected support network.

Support is available

At TalkCampus, we work with institutions around the world to support student wellbeing through peer-led communities and staff training. If your team would benefit from suicide awareness training, we’d love to talk.

Get in touch with our team below to arrange a session or learn more.

Together, we can ensure that no student has to struggle alone.