MyUHS/CMHC Portal
Contact
About Healthyhorns Who we are, resources, and more
University Health Services Medical care and public health leadership
Counseling and Mental Health Center Mental health support
Longhorn Wellness Center Prevention, education and outreach

Suicide Prevention Video for Texas Colleges and Universities

This brief, engaging suicide prevention video was created for all Texas institutions of higher education to raise awareness and promote strategies to address suicidality among students of all ages and backgrounds. The video includes warning signs and emphasizes that help and resources are available on campus and in the community. The intended audience is incoming first-year, transfer, graduate, and professional students, though it is also appropriate for current students — and those who work with them. Although this video is general enough to be used in many different contexts, it is one way to partially meet the legal requirements of Texas 88(R) SB532.

To design this video, a multi-disciplinary team of student affairs, new student services, counseling, and health communication professionals led a year-long, research-driven process that included an environmental and literature scan as well as focus groups, a survey, and ongoing consultation with students and staff from a range of Texas institutions.

The 6-minute video features actor portrayals and attractive animation for three stories with universal themes taken from real stories and research. The video was created by The University of Texas at Austin’s Division of Student Affairs and Center for Health Communication with funding from The University of Texas System.

This is an open-use video. No permissions are required to download, use, share, or link to it.

Implementation and Discussion Guides

Implementation Guide for Campus Administrators

Information for campus administrators when implementing the Suicide Prevention Video for Texas Colleges and Universities.

Discussion Guide for Facilitators

This discussion guide can help campus facilitators — such as orientation leaders, counselors, or peer educators — discuss the contents of the video and reinforce certain key points.

Key Slides

A brief PowerPoint slide deck showcasing key information from the video.

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE

In a single year, over 1 million Texas adults had serious thoughts of suicide (SAMHSA).

In the nation, 75% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 24 (NAMI). Annually, symptoms of mental illness affect more than 1 in 3 young adults ages 18-25, and more than 1 in 4 adults ages 26-49. Less than half of those with mental and behavioral health conditions get services and treatment (NIMH), and there continues to be stigma around mental health needs and care.

Mental health conditions are treatable and suicide is preventable.

24/7 Crisis Resources