As part of orientation, undergraduate first-year and transfer students are required to complete online programming that includes resources to support well-being. Program content and resources remain accessible to students throughout their time at Temple. Undergraduate students learn about campus resources and supporting a peer during their day-long visit to campus the summer before they begin as students.
You can find out more information about this required program at https://wellness.temple.edu/online-programs
The Wellness Resource Center (WRC) also offers the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training at various points throughout the year for Temple University faculty and staff interested in learning more about how to support students who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a 90-minute evidence-based suicide prevention gatekeeper training designed to provide participants with knowledge about suicide and confidence in basic skills to help someone in crisis. During this training, participants will learn about suicide statistics, differentiate myths from facts about suicide, and practice the core skills—Question, Persuade, and Refer. Information about campus resources and how to access them will be given.
In addition to the trainings above, we strongly encourage all members of our campus community to utilize this information provided below to increase their preparedness and confidence in talking about mental health and suicide prevention.
Signs that indicate you should reach out or share that a student is struggling:
- Sudden change in academic performance
- Not going to class
- Failing grades
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Excessive fatigue or excess energy
- Disheveled appearance or noticeable decline in personal hygiene
- Sudden and/or extreme mood changes or disproportionate emotional responses
- Frequent crying, overwhelming anxiety or agitation
- Isolating from friends and family
- Dramatic weight loss or gain and/or preoccupation with food, weight, or body image
- Confused thoughts, disorganized speech, or bizarre behavior indicating loss of contact with reality
- Disruptive, aggressive, or threatening behavior
- Alcohol or other drug-related consequences such as vomiting or blacking out
- Cuts or burns on their body
Signs that indicate someone might be considering suicide:
- Talking about suicide: in person, through text, or on social media
- Asking about or actively seeking access to ways to kill themselves (e.g. weapons, pills, etc.)
- Expressions of hopelessness about the future or being unable to change or improve
- Expressions of being a burden to friends, family, the college
- Difficulty connecting with others or isolating from friends and family
- Expressions of overwhelming guilt or shame
- Withdrawal or detaching from responsibilities and routine
- Physical signs that they have cut or injured themselves
- Giving away personal possessions
- Talking about “if/when I’m gone….”
