Community College Of Allegheny County Mental Health And Suicide Prevention Plan
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is committed to the success and well-being of all students, inclusive of their emotional and mental health. The following resources have been gathered for use by anyone experiencing a crisis.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988.
Hotline Contact Information
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ 25 & under)
Text START to 678-678
Resolve Crisis Services (PA / Allegheny Co.)
PA Department of Human Services Crisis
Resolve Crisis Services
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources
To assist our college community, the following list of suicide prevention resources has been compiled in an effort to ensure anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can find and access the help they need expeditiously. It is important that students, faculty, and staff know the risk factors and warning signs of an individual considering suicide. As such, they can reach out and provide assistance when it is most needed.
| Know the Risk Factors | Watch for Signs | Increase Protective Factors |
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If you notice any of these signs or other changes in a peer or loved one:
- Reach out to them and ask how they are doing. Plan a conversation with them when you have plenty of time and privacy.
- Share with them the behaviors and changes they have displayed that have concerned you.
- Allow the person to share his or her concerns and thoughts and offer to help them find and connect with the appropriate resources.
- Directly ask if the person is thinking about suicide. Asking about suicide does not
increase a person’s risk for suicide, to the
contrary it can be a relief that they can share these thoughts with someone else. - Offer hope when they need it most. Your offer of unconditional support and encouragement can be crucial to a suicidal person.
- Let the person know that help is available, and reassure them that their feelings are temporary and that you value his or her presence in your life.
- If you feel the person is an immediate danger to themselves or someone else call Campus Security or dial 911.
Crisis Intervention Resources
After-hours crisis access
Resolve Crisis Services
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
Mental Health Services and Access
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Main Campus counseling |
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AHN Chill Project |
Via Counseling Referral |
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Student portal / scheduling URL |
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Crisis walk-in protocol |
Students can walk into counseling services or speak to any faculty/staff member to be connected with a counselor |
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Referral process to external crisis services |
Counselor engages with the student and makes necessary referral as needed. |
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Campus security role in crisis response |
When needed, CCAC Campus Security serves as a primary responder and support coordinator for students in distress or crisis. Upon arriving, Campus Security utilizes a calm approach and assesses the immediate needs of the individual. This is achieved by maintaining a non-confrontational posture, active listening, using a calm and moderate tone, and respecting their personal space. Once concerns are assessed, Campus Security will contact the Dean of Students and/or a Counselor to provide support to the student and facilitate necessary follow-up. In situations where self-harm is a factor to be considered, Campus Security will notify the Dean of Students immediately for support and intervention.
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Resolve Crisis Services |
888-796-8226 — 24/7 walk-in and phone |
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Community Behavioral Health (Allegheny county) |
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UPMC Behavioral Health |
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AHN Behavioral Health |
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Bilingual/culturally specific providers |
https://zencare.co/us/pennsylvania/pittsburgh/mental-health-counselors/identity/people-of-color
Community Health and Wellness - Casa San José
Find Spanish-Speaking Therapists and Psychologists in Pittsburgh, PA - Psychology Today
Find Arabic-Speaking Therapists and Psychologists in Pittsburgh, PA - Psychology Today
Find Mandarin-Speaking Therapists and Psychologists in Pittsburgh, PA - Psychology Today |
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LGBTQ+-affirming providers |
LGBTQ Mental Health | Persad Center | Pittsburgh
Central Outreach: Mental Health Services Near Me | LGBTQ+ Support in PA & OH
Integrated Mental Health Clinic - Metro Community Health Center
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- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Peer Supported Advocacy Network (PSAN) Warmline
- Pittsburgh Mercy
- PA Care Partnership
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Westmoreland County Mental Health
- SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
- STAR Center Services for Teens at Risk
- Staunton Clinic
- SuicideIsPreventable.org
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- Turtle Creek Valley MH/ MR , Inc.
- ULifeline
- UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (formerly WPIC)
- Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
Multimedia Resources & Student Outreach Plan
Warning Signs
- Talking about suicide, wanting to die, kill oneself
- Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling worthless, hopeless, or having no reason to live
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Suddenly happier and calmer, especially after a period of depression or sadness
- Giving away prized possessions
- Getting affairs in order, making arrangements
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Preoccupation with death
- Acting anxiously or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawal from or changing in social connections/situations
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
- Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context
- Recent increased agitation or irritability
- Risk Factors:
- Diagnosis of Depression
- Previous suicide attempt
- Family history of suicide
- Loss of job, home, money
- Death or terminal illness of a loved one
- Divorce or loss of major, significant relationship
- Loss of health, either real or imagined
- Someone close to the person has completed suicide
- Recent disappointment or rejection
- Being expelled from school/fired from a job
- Sudden loss of freedom/fear of punishment
- Victim of assault or bullying
- Questioning gender
Student Communication Plan
- Email (all-student or targeted)
- Student portal EAB Navigate
- CCAC website mental health resource page
- Social media
- Physical materials — posters, flyers, table tents
- New student orientation
- Faculty/staff notification for classroom sharing
- Text/SMS messaging
- Identity-specific outreach (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, veterans, students with disabilities, ELL, men of color)