As you can imagine, suicide is not a pleasant topic to discuss, it is not a fun thing that people are thrilled to talk about; in fact, most people rather not discuss it, are afraid or ashamed to bring it up in a casual conversation. The truth is, if we never discuss it, we miss the opportunity to educate ourselves and others about prevention and awareness. As a crisis worker, I continue learning about it every day. One thing that I am asked is when is it appropriate to call 911for mental health concerns. I would encourage you to call 911 anytime there are suicidal or self-harm concerns, especially when the person in question has a self-harm or suicide attempt history, the threat should be taken seriously. A welfare check can save someone’s life. If you are the one struggling, have no doubt that by calling 911 you will get some type of support, do not be afraid to have police contact. The officer conducting the welfare check can request school counselors/crisis to follow up. We will make sure you get connected to the appropriate resources and services.

Another common question is, “can my name be kept anonymous?” The answer is yes, you can request for your name to not be shared when requesting a welfare check. Not wanting your friend to be mad at you is a legit reason not to call; however, it is not the most helpful.

If you are calling 911 try to have the following information for the dispatcher: name of the person, date of birth, address, current location they can be found, if possible, provide a phone number for them, reason why you are requesting the welfare check, suicidal threats, text messages, etc. and any history you know about their mental health.

If you’re new to UW Whitewater and you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please call the Ambrose Health Center 710 W. Staring Rd. Whitewater WI 53190 262-472-1300 or UW Whitewater Winther Counseling Services 230 N. Prairie St. Whitewater WI 53190. If there is an imminent risk, please call 911, another resource is 988 Suicide Line for after-hours support.

You can also call your county crisis department. UW University of Whitewater is in Walworth County and Jefferson Counties; make sure you know what county you live in.

Walworth County Crisis Line 262-741-3200

Jefferson County Crisis Line 920-674-3105