No Aggie Stands Alone

College is one of the most exciting chapters of a person’s life. It is also one of the hardest. For many students, the transition to university life brings new pressures alongside new opportunities. Across the country, colleges and universities are seeing more students struggle with their mental health than ever before. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among college-age adults in the United States, and the need for awareness, conversation and connection has never been greater.

The Aggie community is aware of these risks. As a collective, we, the Texas A&M staff, faculty, your fellow students and the Bryan-College Station community, are ready to face them with you.

The Weight of College Life

The pressure to perform well academically, build a foundation for your career, manage your finances and figure out who you are, all at the same time, is a lot. Add in distance from home, a new social environment and the inevitable moments when things do not go as planned, and it becomes clear why so many students find themselves struggling. Mental health challenges do not discriminate. They affect students of every background, major and year in school. Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or disconnected does not mean something is wrong with you. This experience and these emotions are common, but you don’t have to deal with them by yourself! There are people who care about you and resources to help you manage.

Know What to Look For

Warning signs don’t always look the same. So, trust your instincts if you’re concerned about someone. However, common warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide can include:

• Talking about feeling hopeless, like a burden or having no reason to live;
• Withdrawing from friends, family or activities;
• Giving away belongings;
• Increased use of alcohol or other substances;
• Changes in behavior, mood, appearance and conversation topics;
• Or a sudden sense of calm after a period of distress.

If you notice these signs in a fellow Aggie, ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is clear: asking that question does not put the idea in someone’s head. It opens a door. It tells them they are seen, and that it is safe to tell the truth.

You Are Not Alone

If you are struggling right now, please remember reaching out is not a sign of weakness. The same community that stands at every football game, says “Here” at Muster and shows up in the moments that matter is ready to help with this, too. You do not have to be in crisis to ask for support, and you do not have to figure it out on your own.

Student Life and University Health Services are collaborating this September to make National Suicide Prevention Month a call to action for the entire Aggie community. National Suicide Prevention Week runs Sept. 6-12, and World Suicide Prevention Day is observed Sept. 10. Both are opportunities to learn the signs, start real conversations and be the reason a fellow Aggie asks for support.

Resources for Immediate and Ongoing Support

Texas A&M offers several layers of support, and knowing which resource is right for the moment matters.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Do not wait.

If you or someone you know needs help right now, call or text 988. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Crisis Text Line is also available around the clock: text HOME to 741741. Students can also call the TELUS Health Student Support at 866-743-7732.

For urgent emotional needs that are not immediately life-threatening, University Health Services provides same-day crisis intervention at the Student Counseling and Mental Health Care Center, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, when the university is open.

University Health Services also offers mental health counseling services at the Higher Education Center in McAllen, the School of Dentistry and the School of Law.

For immediate support outside of a crisis, all Texas A&M students have free access to the TELUS Health Student Support app. TELUS offers confidential counseling by phone or chat, 24/7, in multiple languages. Students can also schedule ongoing telehealth appointments through the app and access an on-demand library of mental health content.

If you are concerned about a friend but are not sure what to do next, submitting a Tell Somebody report is a good place to start. Any member of the Aggie community, including students, faculty, staff, family members and members of the broader Aggieland community, can submit a report at tellsomebody.tamu.edu. Anonymous reports can also be submitted by texting 979-269-8268 or emailing [email protected]. You may not be the only person who has noticed something is wrong, and submitting a report helps connect the right support resources to someone who may need them.

One Conversation Can Change Everything

Suicide prevention is not only the work of counselors and crisis lines. It is the work of every Aggie who notices something that could be wrong and asks directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” This month and every month, Texas A&M is committed to making sure no Aggie stands alone.