Information for Students

Some common signs of suicidality which warrant a referral to the Counseling Center include:

• Suicide threats or previous suicide attempts

• Statements revealing a desire to die

• Alcohol and drug abuse: sudden changes in uses.

• Sudden changes in behavior

• Persistent low mood, hopelessness, anxiety, withdrawal, desperation

• Neglect of school work, personal grooming or other routine tasks.

• Changes in physical health such as changes in sleep habits, appetite, weight, or energy level.

• Personal crises and major losses or rejections.

• Loss of relationship

• Making final arrangements

• Giving away prized possessions

• Purchasing a gun or stockpiling pills

• Perceived or actual lack of support

• Ominous, dark, or vague social media posts or sudden withdrawal from social media use.

• Academic concerns that may be experienced as failure

• Lacking coping skills and feelings of Hopelessness

• ​Identity concerns

1. If possible, arrange a private time to talk with your friend or loved one.
2. Discuss your observations that led you to become concerned. Avoid being judgmental or making assumptions about the cause of their apparent distress.
3. Keep the tone of your talk supportive, reassuring, and empathic. The success of this conversation has less to do with what you say and more to do with how you say it.
4. Let your friend or loved one respond to your concerns – listen!
5. Validate their concerns; remember, saying “That sounds really hard” is often a better strategy in this situation than giving concrete advice or trying to talk the person out of how they are feeling.
6. Re-emphasize your support and care, regardless of how they respond.
7. You may want to mention that you have seen other people struggle with similar issues, and that it makes sense that the stressors they are experiencing seem overwhelming.
8. If appropriate, mention that there are additional people on campus who can help and offer to assist the student in making these contacts, including the Counseling Center (available at 312-996-3490; press “2” if after business hours to speak with the Counseling Center After-Hours Crisis Counselor).You can also provide information for the 24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline (988). Find more resources on our crisis services page.
9. Mention that receiving services at the Counseling Center is strictly confidential as protected by law.
10. Though your friend or loved one may reject your offer of support or referral, remain supportive and remember that you need not be alone in your efforts to help. Feel free to consult with the Counseling Center staff before and/or after you speak with the student.

The Counseling Center is a comprehensive psychological services center, providing initial consultations, counseling, and referral to UIC students. We offer individual, couples, and group therapy, as well as consultations for concerned others and psychoeducational workshops; if your friend or loved one is not a UIC student, the Counseling Center also offers information about providers in the greater Chicagoland community. Our services are confidential and available at no charge for currently enrolled students. We are also available to faculty and staff for consultation.

The Counseling Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evening hours available by appointment only. We are located in Suite 2010, Student Services Building. Appointments can be scheduled or consultations obtained by calling (312) 996-3490.

The Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, and its doctoral internship is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Center staff includes licensed and board certified psychologists and psychiatrists, clinical therapists, psychology interns and externs, a social worker, and trained paraprofessionals. The Center has been serving the University of Illinois at Chicago for more than 35 years, and it is part of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

If you are worried about a friend or loved one, please feel free to call the Counseling Center to talk about possible courses of action and how to best help. Just call (312) 996-3490 and ask to consult with a staff member. In the case of an urgent situation where you might want to walk a student over to our office, please call ahead if possible to ensure that someone will be there to meet with you when you arrive.