Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs of suicide and taking them seriously. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. National and local mental health services, listed below, offer telephone, chat, text and other resources for people who are at risk of suicide. Contact your local mental health authority or call 2-1-1 and ask for the LMHA in your area.

Learn important information on how to help someone who may have suicidal thoughts or feelings. Download the suicide prevention wallet card (PDF) which identifies warning signs, specific steps to help someone and resources to get help.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

  • Call or text: 9-8-8
  • Chat online: 988lifeline.org
  • Support for people who are deaf and hard of hearing: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Support for Veterans and Their Loved Ones

The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring and confidential support 24/7.

To learn how to support military service members, veterans and their families in a crisis, download Suicide Prevention for Military Service Members and Veterans (PDF) and Suicide Prevention for Military Families (PDF).

Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 crisis support and trains volunteers to support people in crisis.

Language Matters

Discussing suicide in a neutral and factual manner decreases stigma and encourages others to open up about suicide. Download Language Matters: Talking About Suicide (PDF) for more information about speaking about suicide in a safe and caring manner.

Postvention

Postvention describes the response provided to individuals and communities to promote hope and healing after a suicide death.  To learn more about safe postvention practices, download Postvention (PDF).

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is real and affects people working in the mental health field. Combating compassion fatigue is an important part of suicide prevention. Learn more about the symptoms of compassion fatigue by downloading Compassion Fatigue (PDF).

Parent and Youth Suicide Prevention

It is important for parents to know how to talk to their youth about suicide prevention. To learn about connecting with youth to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF) and Youth Suicide Prevention Wallet Card (PDF).

Teacher and Youth Suicide Prevention

It is important for school personnel to know how to talk to their student about suicide prevention.  To learn about connecting with students to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Teacher Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF).

Suicide Prevention Among Youth Involved with the Justice System

Suicide is the leading cause of death among incarcerated youth. If you work with incarcerated youth, learn about the risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors by downloading Suicide Prevention Among Youth Involved with the Justice System (PDF).

Older Adult Suicide Prevention

Discussions about mental health and checking in with older adults who have experienced a significant loss is important. To learn more, download the Mental Health in Older Adults (PDF) informational flyer.

Care Transitions for People Receiving Suicide Crisis Services

During transitions in care, it is critical for caring professionals, family and friends to maintain contact with the person in care. To learn more, download the Transitions in Care for People Receiving Suicide Crisis Services (PDF) informational flyer.

Suicide Prevention for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities also have thoughts of suicide. To learn more, download the Suicide Prevention for Individuals with IDD informational flyer (PDF).

Suicide Prevention for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries

People who experience a traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of suicide. To learn more, download the Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide Risk flyer (PDF).

Survivors of Suicide Loss

Grieving someone who died by suicide brings unique challenges as the person who died seems to have chosen death. To learn more, download the Survivors of Suicide Loss (PDF) informational flyer.

Suicide Prevention and Adults in a Correctional Facility

Incarcerated adults are at higher risk of suicide than the general population. To learn more, download the Suicide Prevention and Adults in a Correctional Setting flyer (PDF).

Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network

The MHTTC provides training and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of the behavioral health and related workforces to deliver evidence-based practices to people with mental illness. Its Northeast and Caribbean region provides many resources in English and Spanish and recently produced two resources for assessing and evaluating suicide risk.

Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative

Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative developed the Texas State Plan for Suicide Prevention 2023-2028 and provides free resources, educational information, phone apps and training.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

AFSP has local chapters throughout the state that can deliver education programs to schools, workplaces and communities.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Local NAMI chapters can deliver education programs to communities.

Help Outside the United States

To find a suicide helpline outside the United States, visit:

Provider Resources

Visit our Behavioral Health Services Providers page to find additional information and resources including information on the state suicide prevention programs.