Human Resources

Suicide Support, Prevention and Resources

 

At SMC, we care about our community. Mental health services have become increasingly important for our employees and students to support a healthy and successful work and learning environment.  In the U.S., death by suicide is a serious public health issue. Suicide is an important health concern and suicide prevention strategies are important for us to address. For that reason we are providing specialized support and information to all SMC employees and students specific to suicide.

Contact numbers if person is having suicidal thoughts, presenting with suicidal ideation or behavior, and may be in crisis.

  • 9-1-1 for immediate intervention.
  • Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT) (LA County specific) –
    1-800-854-7771
    Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT)
  • National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
    Call or text 988     to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    The previous number: 1-800-273-8255 will continue to function and be routed to 988
    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • Crisis Text Line:
    Text HOME to 741741
    This can be also used for any crisis including anxiety, eating disorders, gun violence, and depression. Crisis Text Line

Other Resources

The following organizations provide counseling, support and services for individuals who have suicidal thoughts

Understanding more about suicide prevention

In the U.S., suicide rates increased 15% from 2010 to 2019, with more than 45,000 people dying by suicide in 2019. Among people ages 15-24, suicide is the third-leading cause of death.

The factors leading someone to attempt suicide are typically multifaceted. Research suggests that economic downturns, a rise in mental illness, and a growing sense of isolation might have contributed to higher suicide rates in the U.S.

Mental health services have become increasingly important to SMC’s student success and retention efforts. As reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education on March 2016, “students at community colleges are more likely than their peers at four-year institutions to be struggling with mental illnesses, but are less likely to have access to mental health services.” It is therefore imperative to provide specialized support to SMC students to assist in their ability to succeed academically.

Suicide is the second-largest cause of death for young people ages 15-34, with males being 4 times more likely to die from suicide than females. Additionally, with every death by suicide, there are an estimated 46 other suicide attempts known as, “suicide contagion.” This begs academic institutions to not only look at the importance of how to address deaths by suicide on campus but also to plan for suicide prevention campus-wide. Faculty and staff must also be educated in order to identify those students who may be at-risk and effectively refer them to appropriate resources.

If you have concerns about a faculty or staff member, please contact Human Resources for support.