Suicide Prevention Resources

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

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Suicide affects all ages and groups. In addition to the number of people who are injured or die, suicide also affects the health of others and the community. When people die by suicide, their family and friends can experience shock, anger, guilt, and depression. While suicide is often associated with feelings of loneliness and isolation, it is a shared and far-reaching public health problem.

As one of the leading causes of death in the United States, suicide can affect all ages and types of people. But thanks to an increase in awareness and resources, prevention efforts have become more common and effective.

Despite outdated misperceptions, suicide is neither a personal failure nor the evidence of mental illness, but rather a common human response to difficult environmental factors and emotional pain. Improving life circumstances, enhancing social connection and reducing emotional pain are the most effective ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of suicidal thoughts and feelings.

 

988 is the new three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The ACA has produced a series of relevant educational videos available to the public for free. 

988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Mental health organizations around the country recognize National Suicide Prevention Week and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month during the month of September each year. However, working together to develop our collective understanding and awareness of suicide in order to prevent it is something we need to be doing every day.

Talking to a counselor about any questions you have about how to help support others or how to get help for yourself is a great place to start.


Crisis Center Information

If you need help, or know someone who does, the following resources are available:

  • Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press Option 1
  • Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada)
    The Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer-support service for trans and questioning individuals in crisis. All operators are trans-identified.
  • Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
    The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25.
  • TrevorText
    A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available Monday–Friday from 3–10pm ET / Noon–7pm PT by texting START to 678678.
  • Crisis Text Line
    Crisis Text Line is a crisis-intervention hotline that conducts conversations exclusively by text message. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day.
  • CrisisNOW
    CrisisNOW provides a roadmap to safe, effective crisis care. Their goal is to keep people out of emergency rooms or jails by providing targeted services for people in distress.
  • Disaster Distress Helpline
    SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
  • Mental Health - Warm Lines
    Warm lines are confidential, peer-run listening lines staffed by people who have experienced mental health conditions themselves.

If you’re not in the U.S., click here for a link to crisis centers around the world.

Suicide Prevention Additional Resources