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UH | Wellness > Mental Health

Five Tips for Suicide Prevention

Updated Published
Grace Tran Student Contributor, University of Houston
Eden Bilbo Student Contributor, University of Houston
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UH chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Suicide is a serious issue that affects people of all ages. According to the World Health Organization, more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year. In addition to this, it was found that suicide was the third leading cause of death for people age 15 to 29 in 2021. Though there is still a stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, it is crucial to talk about these topics and bring awareness to them. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and in honor of this month, here are five tips for suicide prevention.

  1.  Recognize the signs. One of the most important steps of suicide prevention is knowing the signs someone may be in a crisis. This could be someone isolating themselves, withdrawing from friends, talking about feeling extreme hopelessness or emptiness, giving away things that are important to them, and expressing suicidal intent. If someone you know is suicidal, offer them support, keep them safe by reducing access to harmful means, help them connect with a professional or crisis lifeline, and follow up with how they are feeling. 
  2. Utilize mental health resources. Reaching out for help during a mental health crisis can be difficult– especially if you’re not aware of the resources available. However, the University of Houston has a variety of mental health resources for both students and faculty. Under UH’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), students can get free therapy through their Let’s Talk program and access student counseling services. In addition to this, CoogsCARE has both urgent and non-urgent support options available for students to use. If you’re in an immediate mental health crisis, you can always call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 
  3. Stay connected. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), strong social connections are a major protective factor against suicide. Building and nurturing friendships can greatly benefit our mental health and play a role in preventing suicide. Make it a priority to check on your friends. And remember that support goes both ways, people are there for you when you need it. Take the time to reach out to a friend to see how they are, say hi, and maybe even plan a time to see each other and catch up.
  4. Take time for yourself. It’s easy to neglect ourselves and our mental health when we are swarmed with classes, jobs, exams, and student organizations. Ignoring our basic needs can often negatively impact our mental health and lead to depression, anxiety, and burnout. Remember to take breaks and take care of yourself and your mind. Give yourself a spa day, watch your favorite movie, meditate, journal, or spend time with a friend!
  5. Break the stigma. There is still a stigma surrounding suicide and mental health. Because of this, students may find themselves hesitant to seek help and be open about their mental health struggles. However, there are ways to break the stigma and create a place where people feel safe to be open about their mental health. A way to do this is by creating a community, like a student organization that offers support for students and raises mental health awareness.

For anyone struggling with suicidal ideation: it does get better. Please stay. You matter to so many people, even if you don’t realize it. There is so much to live for, even if you can’t see it at the time. There are so many people you haven’t met that will love you, so many new experiences and beautiful moments that are yet to come and so much joy to be experienced. 

Grace Tran

UH '26

Grace Tran is a recent University of Houston graduate, aspiring writer, and passionate storyteller. She believes storytelling has the power to foster connection, challenge stigma, and help people feel seen. Gracie is passionate about mental health advocacy and encourages open, honest conversations about emotional well-being, identity, and the experiences that shape who we are.

Grace aspires to be a queer Asian Carrie Bradshaw. She writes for the wellness vertical and explores relationships, sex, mental health, identity, and the beautifully messy reality of navigating your twenties. She enjoys blending personal reflection with cultural commentary, whether she's unpacking dating trends, discussing self-growth, or examining the nuances of queer life. Her goal is to write articles that resonate with readers while offering representation, comfort, and a fresh perspective.

Grace aspires to build a career as a magazine and digital media writer, creating thoughtful, engaging stories that inform, entertain, and inspire meaningful conversations. She hopes to amplify underrepresented voices, especially within queer and Asian communities, while continuing to write stories that leave readers feeling understood, empowered, and a little less alone.

When she’s not writing, Grace is trying to navigate life as a twenty-something, collecting new experiences, and finding beauty in life's beautifully messy moments.
Eden Bilbo

UH '27

Hi, my name is Eden! I am a teaching and learning major at the University of Houston! I am specializing in teaching students with special needs and I have a minor in journalism. I am currently an editor for HerCampus at the University of Houston. I am so excited to grow and learn more about writing and editing as a member of HerCampus!