An official State of Texas website.
Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs of suicide (PDF) and taking them seriously. It’s also important to consider the unique risks and needs of different populations. Use the below resources to learn how to help.
Youth
It's important for parents, educators and others who work with youth to know how to talk to about suicide. These resources can help you in those discussions:
- Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF)
- Youth Suicide Prevention Wallet Card (PDF)
- Teacher Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF)
- Suicide Prevention for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PDF)
- Suicide Prevention Among Youth Involved with the Justice System (PDF)
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide Risk (PDF)
Adults
Adults and other populations may face unique risks of suicide. It’s important to recognize their needs and know how to help.
- Suicide Prevention Wallet Card (PDF)
- Mental Health in Older Adults (PDF)
- Suicide Prevention for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PDF)
- Suicide Prevention and Adults in a Correctional Setting (PDF)
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide Risk (PDF)
- Survivors of Suicide Loss (PDF)
- Transitions in Care for People Receiving Suicide Crisis Services (PDF)
Veterans
The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans and their loved ones to 24/7, confidential crisis support. Dial 988, then press 1; text 838255; or chat online.
Active military service members, veterans and their families can face higher risks for suicide. Learn how to support them in a crisis:
- Suicide Prevention for Military Service Members and Veterans (PDF)
- Suicide Prevention for Military Families (PDF)
Other Resources
How you talk about suicide is another factor. Talking in a neutral and factual manner decreases stigma and encourages others to open up. Learn more: Language Matters: Talking About Suicide (PDF).
HHS Suicide Prevention Program
The HHS Suicide Prevention program works to reduce suicide in Texas. The program shares tools to assess suicide risk, analyzes suicide data and trends, and provides training and technical assistance in the best practices for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention support.
Training for Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention
The Suicide Prevention team helps facilitate trainings. For information, email Suicide Prevention.
- As+K? About Suicide to Save a Life is a three-hour virtual or in-person training that covers suicide data, risks and protective factors. The training is available in Spanish.
- Safety Planning Intervention is a four-hour virtual or in-person training that teaches safety planning for someone at risk for suicide.
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid.
- Crisis Risk Assessment Training is a two-day virtual training that teaches mental health providers how to complete a comprehensive risk assessment with people experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Postvention in Schools training teaches healthy grieving from suicide loss at an individual and community level, with the goal of preventing future suicide deaths.
- Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team Training is a six-hour in-person training that teaches communities how to start a LOSS Team.
- Language Matters training teaches how language matters in suicide care.
- Suicide Care in Texas is an overview of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention support.
- Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) is an online course that teaches health care and social services providers how to reduce access to lethal means of suicide, such as a firearm or medication.
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings are offered to different age groups and are also available in Spanish:
- Adult MHFA for ages 18 and older
- Youth MHFA for ages 18 and older who work with youth
- Teen MHFA for students in grades 10-12
Email Suicide Prevention for more information.