Tragedy has struck the University of Houston again. For the second time this semester, a student has died on campus in the same building.

September is Suicide Prevention Month, but awareness of this issue should be front of mind no matter the season.

The mental health version of 911 is set to launch nationwide next month with hopes it will be a game changer for suicide prevention and other emergencies, but some mental health professionals worry they will not be ready to handle the anticipated flood of calls.

When a celebrity dies, or when the topic of suicide is in the news headlines, it’s common to see the phone number for the national suicide hotline flashed on TV or included in online articles. But what happens when you make the call?

HOUSTON – Suicides and depression are another side effect from the coronavirus pandemic, psychologists from Menninger Clinic say. “Feeling at the end of their rope and so isolated without any means of soothing themselves,” explained Dr. Cory Walker of the Menninger Clinic. Kevin Briggs teamed up to help end the stigma and help families take action to save lives. Both Briggs and Walker agree that if reaching out to a loved one first doesn’t provoke a response, call police for a welfare check. “I think it takes even more courage to come back and face everything.”