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Help Yourself

SHU 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 973-275-Help (4357) 
Call or text 988 to contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Or text Talk to 741-741 for the Crisis Text Line.  
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you or a friend are having serious thoughts of killing yourself or hurting someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or are struggling with your mental health, you may feel all alone, but know you are not! Our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is an on-campus resource that is here to help you navigate through difficult times. Some of services offered are:

  • Assessments and consultations
  • Individual and group therapy
  • Crisis services
  • Referrals
  • Workshops

You can contact us during regular office hours, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. by calling 973-761-9500 or drop-in to CAPS in Mooney Hall Room 27 to speak with a counselor. Do not use e-mail in an emergency situation. If you have an urgent need to speak with a counselor you may also contact the SHU 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 973-275-Help (4357). This service is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
 

You can contact The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or chat with them online. The Crisis Text Line is also available. Text SCHOOL to 741-741. 

 How to Keep Yourself Safe When Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts


Have a Plan
Create a safety plan to identify how you will keep yourself safe if you experience suicidal thoughts. Outline warning signs and write down all of the reasons life is worth living so you can look at them to remind yourself. Also identify people you can call, crisis resources, coping skills and ways to make your environment safe during these times. Here is a safety plan template to fill out and keep on-hand.

Make Your Environment Safer
Remove any items that can be used to harm yourself, including guns, pills, ropes, belts or any other objects you may have that can be used to carry out a suicide plan. You can give these items to another person so they can store them or dispose of them. 

Stay With a Friend
If you don’t feel safe, be with a friend or other trusted person. Leave your living space and go to that person’s home. If you have nowhere to go, go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t Use Drugs & Alcohol
If you are struggling, drugs and alcohol can make it harder to think clearly. If you aren’t able to stop using substances, make sure you don’t use alone. 

Get Help
If the thoughts won’t go away after trying all of these things, reach out to someone you trust, contact the SHU 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 973-275-Help (4357), call 988 or text SCHOOL  to 741-741 to contact the Crisis Text Line. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
 

 Prevent a Crisis by Taking Care of Your Mental Health


It’s best to address mental health issues before you are in crisis. There are ways you can support yourself and keep yourself well. 

Plan Ahead for Bad Days With a Wellness Kit
Everyone has a rough day here and there. If you have some coping strategies in place ahead of time, you can turn to them to help you get through tough times. 

Find a box and fill it with things you love. Some things you may want to include: a book you are excited to read, a coloring book and colored pencils, puzzles, a gratitude journal, photos of your favorite people and places, inspirational quotes and maybe even a gift card to your favorite store or coffee shop. If it makes you feel good, put it in! You can also create a playlist filled with your favorite songs. 

Helpful article: Going to Campus Mindfully: How to Plan for a Supported, Connected, Less Stressful Year

Establish a Routine
Managing stress is key to maintaining mental wellness. One of the ways you can do that is creating a routine for yourself. 

  • Try to go to bed and get up around the same time each day. 
  • Establish a calming nighttime routine to help you relax before you go to sleep; Read a book, write in a journal, do a guided meditation or breathing exercise. You can find lots of free meditations on YouTube. Don’t use alcohol to help you sleep. Not only is it a depressant, which can make you feel worse, it negatively impacts your sleep quality. 
  • Add exercise to your day. You don’t have to hit the gym for hours. A 10-minute walk can calm your mind, but aim for 30 minutes, five days a week. Movement helps boost your mood and calm your mind and body. 
  • Set aside a dedicated time for homework and studying. Staying on top of your work will help prevent you from pulling all-nighters. Remember, sleep is key! 
  • Build breaks into your day. You need some time to do things you enjoy to avoid burnout. 

Check out the list of self-help resources on the CAPS website.


Know when to ask for help.
If you’re not feeling your best despite your self-help efforts, it’s time to reach out for support. You can contact CAPS during regular office hours=, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. by calling 973-761-9500 or drop-in to CAPS in Mooney Hall Room 27 to speak with an on-call counselor. Counselors are available to conduct assessments and connect you with the appropriate services on and off campus. Remember, if it’s urgent or outside of business hours, contact the SHU 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 973-275-Help (4357). This service is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. 

Here is what you can expect when you contact CAPS. Visit the CAPS website for additional mental health information and resources.  

Take a free, confidential online mental health screening. 

Resources for finding help off-campus.

Find culturally competent mental health care. 

The Trevor Project: Support for LGBTQ youth.

The Jed Foundation: Mental Health Resource Center

BIPOC Mental Health

Counseling


Call 973-761-9500
If you’re not feeling your best despite your self-help efforts, it’s time to reach out for support. You can contact CAPS during regular office hours=, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. or drop-in to CAPS in Mooney Hall Room 27 to speak with an on-call counselor.

Crisis Hotline


Call 973-275-HELP
Students with an urgent need to speak with a counselor may also choose to contact the SHU 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 973-275-Help (4357). This service is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

In an Emergency


Call 911
If you or a friend are having serious thoughts of killing yourself or hurting someone else go to the nearest Emergency Room or call 911.


Great Minds Dare to Care logo. Great Minds Dare to Care is a University-wide collaborative suicide prevention initiative designed to foster shared responsibility for building a community of care at Seton Hall University. 
Visit the Great Minds Dare to Care website.