Welcome to

Eagles Aware: FGCU Campus Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know is suicidal, there is help available.

Any time, any day, for help for yourself or someone else, call the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).  FGCU students can also call CAPS after hours (nights, weekends, holidays) and speak with a counselor immediately.

Although many university students navigate through these years with only minor or expectable psychological bumps and bruises, estimates are that about 10% of students seriously think about suicide each year.  An even greater number -- about half -- of all students report feeling so overwhelmed at least once during the past school year that it was difficult to function. 

Being a university student can be puzzling, but there is help putting the pieces together.

Be Alert to Warning Signs-- Be concerned if you notice these in yourself or a friend:

• Increasing feelings of depression, irritability, feeling overwhelmed
• Withdrawing from family, friends, and social activities
• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
• Feeling like you just can't get out of bed
• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Engaging in high risk behaviors
• Thinking or talking about suicide

These feelings and behaviors may be related to:

• A recent loss of a relationship
• Failing a test or class
• Parents fighting or divorcing
• Relationship violence
• Feeling like you don't fit in

 ...or you may not know what the feelings or behaviors are related to!

You can take an anonymous screening for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other issues from any computer!  Go to http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/Counseling/ and scroll down to "Self-Screening."

What you can do for a friend:

Tell your friend, "I am concerned about you" and ask how he or she has been feeling.   Listen, offer support, and give your understanding.  You do not have to become that person's therapist, just be supportive.

Most attempts to offer help and support are met with relief, so don't be afraid to talk!

However, don't agree to keep secrets - your friend feeling suicidal is not something to keep to yourself!  You need help and support, too.

You can take a "gatekeeper" class -- learn three simple steps to help save a life.  This training is available to any interested student, staff, or faculty group at no charge.  Contact jgibbons@fgcu.edu  with the subject line "QPR Training" for  information and scheduling.

Let your friend know about campus services:

Counseling and Psychological Services: 590-7950

CAPS offers individual therapy and crisis intervention services:  If your friend is in crisis (feeling suicidal, very depressed, doing risky impulsive things, or other things that worry you), you can bring them to CAPS.  Tell the receptionist that your friend is in crisis and needs help TODAY and they will see a therapist. 

Prevention & Wellness Services: 590-7733 or 7685

PWS is wellness education.  If you have non-emergency questions or want to talk with a staff member more about how to help a friend, call PWS and ask!  A staff member can talk with you by phone or set up a time to meet.

Office of Housing and Residential Life (OHRL)

If you are concerned about a roommate, it is always a good idea to let the RA or RD know.  You will be given contact information for these people when you move in.

University Police and Safety: 590-1911 (Emergency Line)

If your friend is in danger right now, and it is after CAPS hours or your friend won't go, or if  you think you friend has taken pills or done other harm to self, CALL UPD!  They can get there faster than any other service.  Dial 911 from a campus line or 590-1911 from your cell if you are on campus.  You can also use the pullcords in campus residences for emergencies.

**If you live off campus, dial 911 to reach Lee County Emergency Services to get police or an ambulance.

If You Have Been Thinking About Suicide:

Reach out to someone -- a friend, family member, spiritual leader, mentor -- and tell them how you've been feeling.

Come to CAPS and tell us you urgently need to see someone.

Avoid using alcohol or drugs - while you may feel temporarily numbness or relief,  substances can also intensify depressed or out of control feelings, or increase your impulsiveness.

Get out of bed, be with friends, exercise, see a movie, read a good book, journal, or otherwise engage in what's going on.

Talk to your primary care MD about referral or treatment options.

Depression, stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder === ARE ALL TREATABLE.

Community Resources

CARES Suicide Prevention (Community Awareness in Recognizing and Educating on Suicide), a Fort Myers agency that offers education/oureach programs, groups, and other resources.  The phone number is (239) 931-1200.  The website can be found by clicking HERE.

Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition: Education, statistics, resources throughout Florida.  The website can be found by clicking HERE.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides advocacy and support for people dealing with mental illness.  The website can be found by clicking HERE.

Available Websites

The Jed Foudation

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Half of Us

 Any time, any day, for help for yourself or someone else, call the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1-800-273 TALK

Life Happens... Getting help is a good thing!

This page contains information and directions to resources for our community. 

Nothing on this page is meant to substitute for any theraputic or medical intervention, but it will lead you to the information you need.