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The student has occasional thoughts of suicide, is still able to think about other things, and is aware of the effect on friends and family. No definite plans or preparations yet.
My student is considering suicide. What do I do now?
How to handle
a (suspected) psychological crisis or emergency with a student? Follow the step-by-step plan or view the general tips at the bottom of the page.
The pressure of student and social life is not always enjoyable for everyone. It requires a good approach, discipline and focus. This doesn't work for all students. Students may start to worry and experience gloomy thoughts. Sometimes, there is a clear reason for this, and sometimes there isn't. A student psychologist from Fontys can work with the student to explore what the gloominess looks like and what the cause is.
It is important that the student promptly contacts their own general practitioner (gp).
For instance, if there is a disrupted sleep pattern, a persistently low mood throughout the day, a clear decrease in interest and enjoyment in activities, fatigue or loss of energy during the days, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death.
The gp can refer the student to further support and therapy. The student psychologists at Fontys are willing to assist the student and you as a student coach. We do not offer long-term therapy, as this is often necessary for this issue.
What can you do as a student coach?
- Refer the student promptly to their own general practitioner. If a student is already seeing an external therapist, refer the student to them.
- Take some quiet and regular moments to review the "Guidelines for Dealing with (Suspected) Suicide." This document outlines how to respond to a student's psychological crisis or distress, providing a clear step-by-step plan and offering useful tips on what to do.
- Save the phone numbers listed in the guidelines (including the phone number of the nearest general practitioner's office to your workplace) in your work phone.
- Inform your colleagues about this website and share this information.
- Discuss cases with colleagues and, if necessary, with your supervisor.
- In the team, discuss which colleagues have experience and a passion for identifying and supporting students with gloomy thoughts. This colleague can serve as the primary point of contact within the program or institute regarding this issue. Ensure that everyone is aware of this and knows how to reach the colleague.
Useful tips and referrals
- Do not promise confidentiality
- Share your concern
- Call your supervisor regardless of the time of day
- Not every statement about suicide will lead to action; it may be a response to stress. Try to put it in perspective > binding study advice (BSA) approaching, lots of exams, etc. Some statements are a phase/age-related. Always take the student's feelings seriously and refer them to a student counsellor and/or student psychologist.
- Always record the consultation(s) and the decision(s)
- If you have an uneasy feeling after a conversation with a student, attempt to speak to the student (by phone or in person). Try to see if you can confirm your instincts.
- If your instincts are correct, discuss the options for help internally at Fontys as well as externally.
- Follow the 113 suicide prevention online training course: VraagMaar online training Suïcidepreventie
- Volg de vervolgtraining Suïcidepreventietraining Gatekeeper
- Check Fontys Helps: gloom, depression & suicidal thoughts
The referral depends entirely on the situation at hand. This page includes a step-by-step guide with the appropriate referrals.
- Encourage the student to make an appointment with a general practitioner or to the external therapist if a student has one.
- If in doubt, consult with a student psychologist on 08850-80000 or email istudent@fontys.nl. They will consult an available student psychologist. When doing so, note that a student psychologist's work is short-term.
- You can also call 113Online (+31 (0)800-0113 or 113) for a consultation. See www.113.nl.
- In case of immediate safety concerns at a Fontys location: contact the internal emergency number 08850-77119 (control room)! The control room will promptly coordinate with emergency services and provide gate access.
- In case of immediate safety concerns outside a Fontys location: call 112!
Step 1: How serious is the situation?
Try to assess this based on the conversation you had, or ask the student about it directly. Asking a direct question about thoughts or plans to commit suicide will not cause the student to actually take action. The student will have these thoughts even without your intervention and would probably feel a sense of relief at being able to talk to someone about it.
- Document the agreements with your student for evidentiary purposes.
- Discuss the case with your colleagues; you don’t have to bear this alone.
Medium
The student often has thoughts and visions of suicide, feelings of despair, has a definite plan with preparations, thinks it would be better for others if he/she were no longer there. Farewell letters are sometimes considered or composed.
Serious
The student only thinks about suicide, has great feelings of despair, is not concerned about the effect on others, there is a definite plan, possibly already practised. A trigger could lead to suicide at any moment.
Step 2: What to do
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- Ask questions and discuss options, both internally at Fontys and externally (student psychologist, general practitioner).
- Discuss who else the student can seek help from. Example question: "Do you have someone who can help you?" (parents, friends, etc).
- In an actual life-threatening situation, you always call the emergency services via 112 or call the nearest GP(s). If required, you link up with a In-house Emergency Service (BHV) /emergency room on site for guidance on receiving emergency services.
- When in doubt about the seriousness of the situation, consult with a colleague (team leader/ director) and/or call or chat with the suicide prevention line 113 (0800-0113 or 113 / Chat | 113 Suicide Prevention.
- Not an acute, life-threatening situation? Based on the above signs, always refer the student to their own GP.
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with the student and revisit any agreements made. In the meantime, ask the student to talk to their student coach.
- Make sure that you know which colleague within your institute has experience and affinity with identifying and guiding students with gloomy thoughts and engage them in consultation with the student
Medium
- Discuss who else the student can seek help from. Example question: "Do you have someone who can help you?" (parents, friends, etc).
- In an actual life-threatening situation, you always call the emergency services via 112 or call the nearest GP(s). If required, you link up with a In-house Emergency Service (BHV) /emergency room on site for guidance on receiving emergency services.
- When in doubt about the seriousness of the situation, consult with a colleague (team leader/ director) and/or call or chat with the suicide prevention line 113 (0800-0113 or 113 / Chat | 113 Suicide Prevention.
- Not an acute, life-threatening situation? Based on the above signs, always refer the student to their own GP.
- Let the student know about www.113.nl / 0800-0113 (24/7).
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with the student and revisit any agreements made. In the meantime, ask the student to talk to their student coach.
- Make sure that you know which colleague within your institute has experience and affinity with identifying and guiding students with gloomy thoughts and engage them in consultation with the student.
Serious
- In an actual life-threatening situation, you always call the emergency services via 112 or call the nearest GP(s). If required, you link up with a In-house Emergency Service (BHV) /emergency room on site for guidance on receiving emergency services.
- When in doubt about the seriousness of the situation, consult with a colleague (team leader/ director) and/or call or chat with the suicide prevention line 113 (0800-0113 or 113 / Chat | 113 Suicide Prevention.
- Not an acute, life-threatening situation? Based on the above signs, always refer the student to their own GP.
- Ask whether there is anyone who can come to collect the student. Contact the parents if necessary (with the student's consent).
- If no one is able to collect the student: Call a general practitioner or out-of-hours GP service.
- Make a concrete agreement: “Can I trust you not to harm yourself?”
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with the student and revisit any agreements made.
Need further advice?
For further advice (for example on how to proceed after seeking help), make an appointment with a student counsellor or student psychologist, by calling 08850 8000 (weekdays 08:30-17:00).
Be aware that the student psychologist/student counsellor is usually not immediately available to speak to you. Consultations usually take place the next working day.