Online Simulation Now Part Of Suicide Prevention Efforts At U Of I

In observance of National Suicide Prevention Week, counselors at the University of Illinois’ Urbana campus have new tools to connect those in need with help. The U of I’s Counseling Center says there are more than 1,000 suicides on college campuses each year, while one in 10 college students have developed a plan for suicide at some point. 

Assistant Director of Outreach and Prevention Nichole Evans says any faculty, staff, or student wanting to lend a hand should take a look at Kognito At Risk, an interactive suicide online prevention simulation program.

“You’re put in a situation, and you have to decide what you want to say to a person who might be experiencing lots of different kinds of distress," she said. "Maybe they’re depressed, maybe they have an alcohol problem, maybe they’re just struggling with their classes.”

Evans says the program asks questions, providing ideas of how to approach someone based on a particular problem. 

Counselors visited with hundreds of students on the U of I Engineering Quad Tuesday.

Those counselors will also have a booth on the main Urbana Quad Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.