Suicide Prevention

If You Are Suicidal

If you have taken steps to end your life, then please do one of the following to obtain immediate medical help:

Dial 9-1-1 from a landline or if you are off-campus
Dial UCPD Emergency at (510) 642-3333 from a cell phone if you are on or near campus
- We ask that you do this so that we have a chance to help you with whatever leaves you feeling so overwhelmed that life is not worth living. We believe that you can be helped. We would like a chance to try to help you.
If you are considering taking your life, then please let us or someone else try to help.
It is important to know that you are not alone. Many people have had suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives; experts believe that at least 1 in 6 people experience this. It is not a character defect and it does not mean that you are crazy, weak, flawed, or damaged in some way. When pain seems overwhelming and you are unable to cope, suicide can seem like the only way out. While it may not seem like it now, there is hope. With time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and suicidal thoughts will subside. Suicide is a permanent solution to a short-term problem. We know that when people are suicidal they feel like nothing will help—but we would like to try, and it could make a difference for you.
Please call the UHS Mental Health Services at (510) 642-9494 for 24/7 access to a counselor by phone.
You may also contact the following 24/7 suicide hotline: National Suicide Prevention Line: 988

If You Know Someone Who is Suicidal

If someone has attempted to take their life, then they need medical assistance. Dial 9-1-1 from a landline or if you are off-campus. Dial UCPD Emergency at 510-642-3333 from a cell phone if you are on or near campus.
If you are concerned that someone is in imminent or immediate danger of taking their life, then dial 9-1-1 from a landline or if you are off-campus. Dial UCPD Emergency at 510-642-3333 from a cell phone if you are on or near campus.
If you are concerned about a UC Berkeley student who is not in any immediate danger of harming themselves, then please call the UHS Mental Health Services at (510) 642-9494 for a consultation on how best to help. If you are worried about the safety and well-being of someone else, then it is important to respond and take action. We all share the responsibility of protecting the safety and well-being of our community. You don’t have to struggle with this on your own; we are here to support you as well. See the Mental Health Handbook for faculty, staff, and GSIs.
UC Berkeley Faculty and Staff may also contact the UC Berkeley Students of Concern Committee at 510-664-4218 or studentofconcern@berkeley.edu for consultation about students they are worried about.

When Suicide Happens

Suicide does happen - with devastating effects on and consequences to family, friends, and the campus community at large. Regardless of whether you knew the person, it can still be a traumatic loss. We are committed to providing caring support to faculty, staff, and students who are impacted by suicide.

For consultation on how to support the community, contact UHS Mental Health Services at (510) 642-9494.
Drop-in urgent counseling appointments for students are available Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm. We are located in the Tang Center on the 3rd floor.
UC Berkeley faculty and staff can access Employee Assistance at (510) 643-7754.
Tools for coping with the death of a student, faculty, or staff
Tools for coping with traumatic events and news
Tools for helping a grieving friend

Suicide Prevention on the UC Berkeley Campus

University Health Services has a multitude of outreach programs to address stress and depression and to reach out to under-served and at-risk students. In addition to in-person workshops and trainings, UHS Mental Health Services has multiple counselors who work in a variety of satellite offices located across different campus departments. Special efforts are made to reach out to faculty, staff, and GSIs who work closely with students and can be “gatekeepers” to their getting help. Several grants through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services) and through the State of California have helped to fund suicide prevention efforts since 2005.

Gatekeeper Training Programs:

Information about Depression and Suicide

Additional Resources