Often, students perceive faculty and staff members as the first (and often primary) source of advice and support. If you become concerned about a student’s behavior, it is important to be informed and know where to get help. The following information is a list of warning signs of potential suicide and potential violence. These lists are not exhaustive, but may help you recognize warning signs, talk to the student and ultimately refer the student to the appropriate services. CAPS is staffed by licensed psychologists and advanced graduate students trained to further assess and treat persons with such symptoms.

Please click on the following link to read the Information for Faculty & Staff: Recognizing Students in Crisis & Referrals (Brochure)

• previous suicide attempts
• significant alcohol or drug use
• threatening or communicating thoughts of suicide, death, dying or the afterlife
• sudden increase in moodiness, withdrawal, or isolation
• major change in eating or sleeping habits
• feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
• poor control over behavior
• impulsive, aggressive behavior
• drop in quality of school performance or interest
• lack of interest in usual activities
• getting into trouble with authority figures
• giving away important possessions
• hinting at not being around in the future or saying good-bye
• a recent death or suicide of a friend or family member
• a recent break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or conflict with parents
• news reports of other suicides in the same school or community

• a history of violent or aggressive behavior
• serious drug or alcohol use
• gang membership or strong desire to be in a gang
• access to or fascination with weapons, especially guns
• threatening others regularly
• trouble controlling feelings like anger
• withdrawal from friends and usual activities
• feeling rejected or alone
• having been a victim of bullying
• poor school performance
• history of discipline problems or frequent run-ins with authority
• feeling constantly disrespected
• failing to acknowledge the feelings or rights of others

• Speak with student privately
• Allow time for the conversation
• Express your concerns in terms of what you have noticed in their behavior (e.g., being increasingly reserved in class, or turning in writings of a particularly dark nature).
• Be empathic and listen to their thoughts and feelings
• Ask about student’s intentions directly (e.g., "Are you thinking about suicide?" or "Are you thinking about harming someone else?")
• Offer hope through discussing treatment at CAPS (e.g., "I think that meeting with someone at CAPS could make a big difference in how you are feeling.")
• Acknowledge stigma some associate with therapy services and emphasize help-seeking as a sign of strength.
• Provide a few facts about CAPS (e.g., Session costs for most services are already paid for in student fees, CAPS services are confidential except under unusual, well-defined circumstances, therapists deal with a wide range of personal concerns).
• Follow-up with the student and provide support as appropriate. This can really show you care and increase the student’s willingness to complete treatment

• If you have concerns for the student’s immediate safety or the immediate safety of another, contact 911. Safety precedes treatment.
• If this student is in crisis, you may escort the student to CAPS; remember that we will always assess the needs of potential clients during office hours. Calling ahead helps CAPS coordinate this assessment.
• You can help facilitate an appointment by calling CAPS with the student in your presence and having them make an appointment.
• You can also have student agree to make an appointment with CAPS.
• You can always call CAPS to consult if you have any mental health questions or concerns regarding any student, staff, or faculty.

• Once a student becomes a client, CAPS therapists are bound to confidentiality by ethics and law. These limits do not permit acknowledging whether or not a client is receiving services, content of the sessions, or progress in treatment.
• Except under unusual, well-defined circumstances (e.g., suicide/homicide), clients must sign a written release of information before CAPS will disclose any information. This safeguard allows clients the confidence needed to share openly. Please do not take this as a sign of disinterest in speaking with you, but an indication of CAPS’ commitment to providing quality treatment.
• You are encouraged to follow up with the student directly about their involvement in treatment or call CAPS to provide any information that may be helpful to working with the student. If they are currently in treatment, we will take the information and pass it along to the treating clinician. A student may also sign a release form authorizing CAPS to speak with you which may allow us to disclose more details.

If a student is in crisis, here is a list of additional resources:

Crisis Information
Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority (MHMRA)	(713) 970-7000
Crisis Intervention of Houston	(713) 468-5463
University of Houston Department of Public Safety	(713) 743-3333
Mobile Crisis Outreach Team	(713) 970-7520
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention	(800) 273-8255