Suicide Prevention Center of Excellence

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Suicide Prevention Center of Excellence

What We Do

The Suicide Prevention Center of Excellence will serve as an enduring and productive resource to the university and community by delivering cutting-edge training, resources, and consultation to proactively prevent suicides and, when necessary, heal from adverse suicide events.

Phone

(315) 792-3860

jshunter1@utica.edu

Department Type

Center or Institute

Office Location

School of Health Professions and Education, 230 Addison Miller White Hall

CURRENTLY IN CRISIS?

If you're seeking help for yourself or another student, please:
► Contact the University's Counseling Center: Room 204, Strebel Student Center | (315) 792-3094 | hwc@utica.edu
► Call 988 for immediate assistance (available 24/7).

About the Center

The Suicide Prevention Center of Excellence (SPC) is housed within the School of Health Professions in Education Department (HPE). The Center serves to strengthen the suicide prevention knowledge and skills of Utica University’s faculty, staff, and students, as well as provides training and resources to community partners.

Our Vision

The Suicide Prevention Center of Excellence will serve as an enduring and productive resource to the University and community by delivering cutting-edge training, resources, and consultation to proactively prevent suicides and, when necessary, heal from adverse suicide events.

RECENT EVENTS

Cultivating Hope in Our Caring Communities - A Panel Discussion on Suicide Prevention

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | Utica University

Our Mission

The Suicide Prevention Center of Excellence provides exceptional suicide prevention education and support to faculty, staff, and students within the University, and extends its reach and impact to the community and society at large through partnerships that facilitate the provision and distribution of needed consultation, training, and resources.

Guidance and Resources

Cultivating SeeDs of Hope: The SUN, SOIL and WATER Method

Guidance for Professors, Parents and Students on How to Help a Struggling Young Adult

IMPORTANT:

When thoughts of suicide are reported, ask about a plan and intent to harm self. When there is a plan or strong desire expressed to take one’s life (or harm others), seek immediate professional assistance. Also, unless you feel unsafe, stay with the person of concern and pass along the concerning information to responding professionals.
Never approach a student about a concern if he or she is high, intoxicated, acting irrationally, or making threats of violence, nor when he or she has a history of interpersonal violence. Instead, seek professional assistance.

SeeDs of Hope: See the Clues and DEDUCE

DEATH OR DYING TALK:
Makes statements like, “I want to disappear,” or “life’s not work living” or the individual might threaten self harm behavior such as an overdose on pills.

ERRATIC OR DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR:
Acting unpredictably, dangerously, erratically or impulsively, which may include violence towards self or others.

DISRUPTED SLEEP:
May act tired or look disheveled due to early or frequent waking, oversleeping or nightmares.

UNFOCUSED BEHAVIOR:
May be indecisive or have difficulty concentrating at school or while doing routine tasks.

CHANGES IN EATING HABITS:
Lack of appetite, under-eating, weight loss; or overeating and weight gain.

EMOTIONAL UPSET:
Sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious or uncaring.

Sun, Soil, and Water: How to Proceed

S.U.N. | Prepare your thoughts
- Stance - be nonjudgmental and supportive
- Uncover unmet social & emotional needs
- Nudge - to talk about it and seek help
S.O.I.L. | Speak Up
- Say something - “You’re not yourself”
- Observe that which concerns you
- Inquire - ask, “What’s going on?”
- Listen to what concerns are expressed
W.A.T.E.R. | Connect
- Welcome him/her to say more
- Ask questions to understand, ask about suicide
- Tie together all said and observed
- Educate about resources for help
- Refer to help