Resources
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line on their website.
The Veterans Crisis Lifeline
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their family members and friends, with qualified, caring Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text messaging service. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone or send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. You can also start a confidential online chat session at veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.
More Resources
National Institute of Mental Health
Look at other resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member.
SAMHSA's National Helpline
Referral and information service (English and Spanish) for individuals facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
The Trevor Project
A national, 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth.
1-866-488-7386
The GLBT National Help Center
Phone, chat, email support, resources, and help for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
1-800-246-7743
The Trans Lifeline
Free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.
1-877-565-8860
/
The Suicide Prevention Resource
Center provides information on mental health facilities and prevention efforts in your state.
1-800-273-talk (8255)
Brief Interventions
Safety Planning
Personalized safety planninghas been shown to help reduce suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients work with a caregiver to develop a plan that describes ways to limit access to lethal means such as firearms, pills, or poisons. The plan also lists coping strategies and people and resources that can help in a crisis..
Follow up phone calls
Research has shown that when at-risk patients receive further screening, a Safety Plan intervention, and a series of supportive phone calls, their risk of suicide goes down.
Psychotherapies
Multiple types of psychosocial interventions have been found to help individuals who have attempted suicide (see below). These types of interventions may prevent someone from making another attempt.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help people learn new ways of dealing with stressful experiences through training. CBT helps individuals recognize their thought patterns and consider alternative actions when thoughts of suicide arise.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)has been shown to reduce suicidal behavior in adolescents. DBT has also been shown to reduce the rate of suicide in adults with borderline personality disorder, a mental illness characterized by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior that often results in impulsive actions and problems in relationships. A therapist trained in DBT helps a person recognize when his or her feelings or actions are disruptive or unhealthy, and teaches the skills needed to deal better with upsetting situations.
Find Help for Mental Illnesses
NIMH’s Find Help for Mental Illnesses page can help you locate a mental health provider in your area. Here you can find tips to help prepare and guide you on how to talk to your health care provider about your mental health and get the most of your doctor’s visit.
Medication
Some individuals at risk for suicide might benefit from medication. Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose. Because many individuals at risk for suicide often have a mental illness and substance use problems, individuals might benefit from medication along with psychosocial intervention.
Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication used primarily to treat individuals with schizophrenia. To date, it is the only medication with a specific U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indication for reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
If you are prescribed a medication, be sure you:
- Talk with your doctor or a pharmacist to make sure you understand the risks and benefits of the medications you’re taking.
- Do not stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping a medication may lead to “rebound” or worsening of symptoms. Other uncomfortable or potentially dangerous withdrawal effects also are possible.
- Report any concerns about side effects to your doctor right away. You may need a change in the dose or a different medication.
- Report serious side effects to the FDA MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programonline or by phone at 1-800-332-1088. You or your doctor may send a report.
Other medications have been used to treat suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but more research is needed to show the benefit of these options. For basic information about these medications, you can visit the NIMH Mental Health Medications webpage. For the most up-to-date information on medications, side effects, and warnings, visit the FDA website.
Collaborative Care
Collaborative Care has been shown to be an effective way to treat depression and reduce suicidal thoughts. A team-based Collaborative Care program adds two new types of services to usual primary care: behavioral health care management and consultations with a mental health specialist.
The behavioral health care manager becomes part of the patient’s treatment team and helps the primary care provider evaluate the patient’s mental health. If the patient receives a diagnosis of a mental health disorder and wants treatment, the care manager, primary care provider, and patient work together to develop a treatment plan. This plan may include medication, psychotherapy, or other appropriate options.
Later, the care manager reaches out to see if the patient likes the plan, is following the plan, and if the plan is working or if changes are needed to improve management of the patient’s disorders. The care manager and the primary care provider also regularly review the patient’s status and care plan with a mental health specialist, like a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse, to be sure the patient is getting the best treatment options and improving
Additional Resources
Coming Out Resources
- The Trevor Project: http://www.thetrevorproject.org
- The Human Rights Campaign: www.hrc.org/explore/topic/coming-out
Resources to Share with Your Family and Friends
- Family Acceptance Project: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu
- PFLAG: https://www.pflag.org
Mental Health Resources
- Pride Institute: http://pride-institute.com
- NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
Medical and Sexual Health Resources
- GLMA: http://www.glma.org
Substance Abuse and Addiction Resources
- Pride Institute: http://pride-institute.com
Anti-Violence Resources (violence/harassment/domestic abuse)
- National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: http://ncavp.org/about/default.aspx
Legal Resources
- Lambda Legal: http://www.lambdalegal.org
Homelessness Resources
- The Ali Forney Center: www.aliforneycenter.org
School
- GLSEN: www.glsen.org/jumpstart
- The GSA Network: http://gsanetwork.org
Employment Resources
- Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org/explore/topic/workplace
Welcoming Religious Communities
- Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org/resources/faith-resources
Local LGBTQ Social and Recreational Resources
- GLBT Near Me National Resource Database: http://www.glbtnearme.org
- Trevor Space: https://www.trevorspace.org
Stories From Other Survivors
- It Gets Better Project: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/video
- Live Through This: http://livethroughthis.org
Where can I go for more information on suicide prevention?
You can:
- Visit the NIMH website: www.nimh.nih.gov and search “suicide”
- Visit the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus
-
- English: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
- En Español: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish
-
- Find information on clinical trials at the National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials database: www.ClinicalTrials.gov/
- Information from NIMH is available in multiple formats. You can browse and order items online, download documents in PDF, and order paper brochures through the mail.