Suicide Prevention

For after-hours mental health crisis assistance call our office number (417-836-5116) and press zero to speak with a crisis counselor or call 988. In case of immediate danger call 911.

Based on statistics published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was found to be the 11th leading cause of death in the nation and the third among college students in 2022. Specifically, 49,476 Americans died by suicide in 2022 and there were an estimated 1.6 million of suicide attempts. Missouri ranks 19th in the number of suicides annually in state comparisons.

Online educational and informational content on suicide prevention

Training opportunities offered through the MSU Counseling Center

Ask Listen Refer Training

The Ask Listen Refer online training program is a free program that takes about 20 minutes to complete, and it is intended to be educational rather than therapeutic. MSU faculty, staff, and students can help prevent suicide by learning to:

  • Identify people at risk for suicide,
  • Recognize the risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide
  • Respond to and get help for people at risk

The online program must be completed in one sitting. Logging in and out of the program may cancel your progress and prevent you from obtaining your certificate of completion.

Begin the Ask Listen Refer training

You Can Help a Student

The You Can Help a Student trainings are open to all MSU Faculty and Staff. This 90-minute session uses interaction and conversations to teach audience members actionable ways they can support students in distress, including how to identify students who are expiring mental health concerns, and how and where to refer students when necessary.

Content includes:

  • Data and statistics about college student mental health
  • Signs and symptoms of distress
  • How to be supportive and give help to students
  • Signs of suicidality and how to respond
  • Information on where to go for help and support

You Can Help a Friend

The You Can Help a Friend trainings are open to all current MSU Students. Attend this 60-minute training to learn how to recognize and respond to signs of distress in your peers.

Sign up for You Can Help A Friend

How you can help if a person says they are experiencing suicidal thoughts

If somebody shares with you that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts:

  • Take the person seriously.
  • Tell them you care about them and their safety
  • Assess for safety and access to lethal means
  • Connect them with resources
  • Make sure you follow up with them
  • If you are worried about their safety call 911 or 988.

MSU Campus Mental Health Crisis Assistance

MSU Counseling Center
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
417-836-5116

Crisis intervention is provided to help students cope with mental health emergencies. During office hours call or come by the Counseling Center, Magers Health and Wellness Center, Suite 304. For after-hours mental health emergencies, call 417-836-5116 then press zero to speak to a crisis counselor. You may also contact MSU Public Safety at 417-836-5509. Please do not attempt to contact us about a crisis by email. The use of email is not a secure form of communication, thus confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

To schedule a non-emergent counseling appointment, call 417-836-5116 during 8am-5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Additional MSU Campus Mental Health Resources

Magers Health and Wellness Center

Office hours during fall and spring semesters: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Office hours during summer session and intersessions: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
417-836-4000
Health.MissouriState.edu

Center City Counseling Center

Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
417-836-3215
MissouriState.edu/SMHBS/Counseling/CCCC

Resources for Veterans

Springfield Area Mental Health Emergency Assistance Resources

Springfield Police Department
911 or 417-864-1810

Sheriff Greene County
417-868-4040

Burrell Center Inc./Crisis Assist Team 24-hr Crisis Line
417-862-6555 or 800-494-7355

Springfield Veterans Center
417-881-4197
After hours and Holidays: 877-927-8387

Emergency room contact information

Mercy Emergency Trauma Center
1235 E. Cherokee
Springfield, MO 65804
417-820-2115

Cox South Emergency and Trauma Center
3801 S. National
Springfield, MO 65807
417-269-4083

Cox North Emergency Department
1423 N. Jefferson
Springfield, MO 65802
417-269-3393

Nationwide 24/7 crisis support

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

Crisis Text Line
Text 741741 for a quick reply by a trained Crisis Counselor about any type of crisis.

Substance Use Support Line
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 – Press 1
or Text 838255