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Myths

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.

 8 Common Myths


  1. Talking about suicide will cause suicide. 
    Asking directly if a person is considering suicide can actually help! Having an honest, straightforward discussion can actually reduce thoughts of suicide. 
  2. Suicide only affects people with a mental health condition.
    There are many people living with a mental illness who don’t experience suicidal thoughts and there are people who attempt or die by suicide who don’t have a mental illness. Many factors play a role such as major life events, relationship problems, financial trouble, terminal illness, etc. 
  3. Suicide happens without warning.
    While there aren’t always warning signs, many people exhibit verbal warning signs or have changes in their behavior beforehand. That’s why it’s important to learn the warning signs. 
  4. If someone tells me they are thinking of suicide, I can’t tell anyone.
    If a person’s life is in danger, you may need to tell others in order to get them the help they need. Don’t ever promise to keep a person’s suicidal thoughts a secret. 
  5. Suicides are always carefully planned out. 
    Sometimes people have a plan, but sometimes it happens on impulse. This is more common among young people, especially those who are using alcohol or other substances.
  6. People who die by suicide always want to die. 
    Many people who attempt or die by suicide are looking for a way to end emotional pain and may see suicide as the only way to stop their suffering. \
  7. Suicide is selfish.
    In many cases, people who attempt or die by suicide feel that they are a burden to their loved ones and believe others are better off without them. 
  8. Once a person decides to attempt, you can’t change their mind.
    Suicides are preventable. Any positive action you take can potentially save a life. Asking the questions, listening, being there for them and connecting them with help are all things that make a difference. Learn how to respond

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.