Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, but it is also one of the most preventable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 48,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2021 — the equivalent of one death every 11 minutes.

The onset of mental health issues is typically found in individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 — the age range of most college students. Coupling that with the stress of a full class schedule, being away from home and trying to balance a social life could be overwhelming for anyone.

At UCF, we want our students, faculty and staff to know that they are not alone and that there are resources available to help.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate help, always call 911. The National Suicide Hotline is also available 24/7/365 by dialing 988. The UCF Counseling and Psychological Services Crisis Line is available 24/7/365 as well by dialing 407-823-2811.

Field of Memories

The Field of Memories — Be Aware Show You Care Flag Exhibit is a powerful and poignant visual display representing the 1,100 suicides that occur on college campuses throughout  the United States each year. Members of the UCF community can participate by personalizing a flag to show their support or honor a memory of someone lost to suicide.

Please join us Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reflecting Pond to help us raise awareness and spread a message of hope and healing. UCF President Alexander N. and First Lady Melinda Cartwright will be in attendance, along with several health and wellness campus partners to support the exhibit.

There will also be an exhibit at the UCF Downtown campus, between DPAC and the Paramore Garage, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 13.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

Keeping UCF safe is a big job, and it takes all of us looking out for one another.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, those trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, how to interrupt the crisis and how to refer someone to proper care.

Some warning signs include, but are not limited to:

  • Talking about wanting to die and/or researching how to kill themselves
  • Talking about having no reason to live, feeling hopeless or like a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Behaving recklessly or erratically
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
  • Not taking care of themselves

If someone you know is experiencing challenges or difficulties and exhibiting concerning behavior, please report it using the Student of Concern form. In an emergency, always dial 911 for immediate help.

CAPS is hosting QPR training Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. via Zoom. You can join both sessions here.

If you cannot attend either of these sessions, Central Florida Cares and the Florida LEADS Project also provide free, virtual QPR training for anyone to attend.

For Students

UCF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides crisis-intervention services and comprehensive psychological services for students by appointment, walk-in or 24/7 hotline. CAPS can be reached by calling 407-823-2811. For after-hours services, call 407-823-2811 and press 5 to be connected to a licensed therapist.

UCF Student Care Services is the umbrella for student-related care resources and a great place to start if you are not sure where to go for help. Visit UCFCares.com for resources and support with academic distress, homelessness, mental health concerns, financial challenges,well-being and more. Email caremanager@ucf.edu or call 407-823-5607.

For Faculty and Staff

The Employee Assistance Program, provided by Health Advocate, is a university-funded benefit that offers the support and resources you need to address any personal challenges and/or concerns that may affect your personal well-being and/or work performance. It is confidential and free to all faculty and staff (excluding OPS student employees) as well as their eligible family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law. Health Advocate can be reached by calling their toll-free number at 877-240-6863 or by visiting their website at HealthAdvocate.com/members.