A Comprehensive Plan

In addition to our on-going training options and programming, MSU follows a Comprehensive Plan for Suicide Prevention. Mental Health and Prevention agencies like the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and Jed Foundation recognize that suicide is a complex, public health issue that requires a multidimensional approach. In accordance with these models, here are a just a few resources and ways that MSU contributes to mental wellness and works to promote suicide awareness and prevention.

Suicide Prevention Is...

Connection

Connecting with friends, family, activities, and hobbies is great for our mental health! Here are just a few ways to find a support network and activities at MSU:

Office of Student Engagement                                                      Student Clubs and Organizations focused on activities, hobbies, identities, spirituality, philanthropy, politics, or professions. Or start your own club!
Campus Recreation       Outdoor activities and excursions, fitness classes, intramural and club sports...Campus Rec offers connection through their many activities.
Fraternities and Sororities Many find strong community, professional development, and community engagement through our fraternity and sorority chapters.
Access and Success Access and Success hosts several programs and resources: The Student Commons, TRIO, and QSA, are just a few!
Veteran Support Center The Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center offers connection and support for Veterans and those from military-affiliated families. 
Native American Studies AI/AN Student Success Services, American Indian Council, Talking Circle, the PowWow...all foster connection for our Indigenous students. 
University Student Housing Student Housing and Resident Hall Councils are a great place to meet your neighbors and foster community! 
Off-Campus Student Life A great resource for students who live off campus!

Caring

We all have a role in suicide prevention. Here are just a few ways we can learn how to recognize signs of distress and provide support and referral to supportive resources:

SOS: Signs of Suicide Online Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     This online training teaches how to recognize signs of suicide or distress, provide basic support, and refer for additional help. Go the SOS site, click "create account." Provide name, chosen email and password, then clic "create." When prompted for the redemption code, use MSU, then click "next." Select SOS for Students or SOS for Faculty/Staff.
ACT to Prevent Suicide: Acknowledge,        Care, Tell                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   This one-hour training discusses how to recognize signs of mental health distress in yourself and others, and how to ACT: Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. Basic skills and on-campus/crisis resources are discussed. Vist our registration page to see our schedule and register for a seminar.                                                                                                   
Campus Connect Mental Health Training                     

A new offering from Counseling & Psychological Services! This 2-hour training discusses college student mental health, as well as ways to recognize and refer students in distress. Register here for Faculty/Staff, and here for Students.

CARE Referral with the  Office Dean of Students      

 The CARE Referral provides a simple way for members of the university community to express concern about a person by submitting an online form and connecting them to resources. Once a CARE Referral is made, it is reviewed and appropriate action is taken, if necessary. You can submit a CARE Referral for a Student or for an Employee. 

Access to Treatment and Services

A variety of services for health and wellbeing exist on campus:

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)           CAPS provides free and confidential counseling for MSU students. Visit the office on the 3rd Floor of the Student Wellness Center, or call 406-994-4531.
Student Health Services                                                                        Student Health provides medical treatment, psychiatric treatment, and medication management. Visit the office on the 2nd Floor of the Student Wellness Center or call 406-994-2311.
Student Wellness                                                                                Health Education in Student Wellness provides general information on student wellness topics, as well as Sexual Health and Alcohol and Drug education, screening, referral, and prevention. 
Basic Needs and Food Pantry   

The Basic Needs program provides support to students in navigating public assistance, food, and health care. The Bounty of the Bridgers food pantry provides supplemental and emergency food assistance to students at no cost. 
MSU Pharmacy

The MSU Pharmacy offers both prescriptions and over-the-counter items to students. Students can transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies to access convenient, on-campus services.
Dental Services MSU Dental Services provides preventive and emergency care to students, including cleaning, emergency dental treatment, exams, fillings, crowns, night guards, retainers, and more!                                                                                                                                                           
Campus Recreation                                                                                      Campus Rec provides a variety of activities and classes that contribute to overall health, wellbeing, and mental health support. Movement is Medicine is one class specifically focused on incorporating physical activity to support mental health.
Community Partners A variety of mental health resources exist in Bozeman as well. The Help Center provides crisis support, sexual assault crisis support, referrals, and more at 406-586-3333. Bozeman Health provides a variety of psychiatric and emergency services. HRDC and Family Promise assist with housing, shelter, and basic needs resources. Rimrock is available to assist with substance use assessment and treatment. AFSP and NAMI provide advocacy, education, and support to individuals and families affected by suicide or mental health challenges. A host of counselors can also be found on the Thriving Campus referral site. 

Safety

Increasing personal and environmental safety is one aspect of suicide prevention. Here are a few ways to enhance safety:

Free Weapons Storage                                                                                                     MSU Police offers free weapons storage. This is a great way to ensure firearms and other weapons are secure, espcially if someone is experiencing a crisis. Free storage is available for firearms, archery, paintball buns, hunting knives, bear spray, and more, and the facility is open 24-hours. For more information Weapons Storage Facility or call 406-994-2121.
Prescription Drop Boxes Disposing of old or unused medication is a great way to ensure they aren't a safety risk. It's a great way to protect roommates, kids, visitors, etc. from accessing potentially harmful or fatal medications. Dropboxes are located in the MSU Pharmacy on the lower level of the Student Wellness Center, in the lobby of the University Police Department, and in Bozeman at the Albertson's pharmacy. 
Crisis Support Use 988 if you or somone you're assisting is in crisis. You can also go to the Emergency Room at Bozeman Health. If you're in crisis you should get support from a professional, but it's also helpful to have a Safety Plan in place.  

Crisis Response

If you or someone close to you is in a crisis, help is never more than a text or phone call away. 

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 24 hour                                                988  Call or text 988, available 24 hours a day, to speak to a trained crisis response specialist.
MSU Counseling & Psychological Services    CAPS is open M-F, 8-5. Walk-in services are available for those in crisis. You can also call 406-994-4531.
Help Center (Bozeman) 406-586-3333. Available for crisis support and referrals.
University/Bozeman Police Call 911 for crisis support or to initiate a mental health welfare check.
Gallatin Mobile Crisis Team Available from 10am -10pm, 7 days a week. The team provides on-site behavioral health evaluation, treatment, and crisis intervention. Access them by calling the Help Center or 911.

Support After a Suicide Loss

When there is a death on campus or death by suicide, a protocol is in place to ensure members of the MSU Community receive grief support.

After the family is notified, university administrators begin identifying staff or students who are directly impacted by the student death. Counseling & Psychological Services provides on-site support, group support meetings, crisis walk-in appointments, and individual counseling. 

The Office of the Dean of Students can also provide support to grieving students by working with faculty to assist with students' academic success. DOS and other administrators continue to work identify additional students and members or the MSU community who have been impacted to ensure grief support and crisis resources are made available.