If You Are in Crisis Right Now
Help is available immediately. You are not alone.
- Call, text, or chat 988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Find Your Local Crisis Center - Locate a crisis center in your county/region
- Call 911 if in immediate danger
Trained counselors are ready to listen and provide support.
Understanding a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis occurs when emotions, thoughts, or behaviors feel overwhelming, and usual coping methods no longer work. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are a serious form of crisis. Everyone experiencing a crisis deserves timely support and care.
Warning Signs of Suicide Risk
Signs that someone may be at risk:
- Talking about wanting to die or feeling hopeless
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
- Major changes in mood, behavior, or sleep
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol
- Feeling like a burden to others
If you notice these signs, reach out for help immediately.
How to Support Someone in Crisis
- Listen without judgment. Let them share openly.
- Ask directly about thoughts of suicide.
- Stay present until professional help is available.
- Connect them to resources like 988 or local hotlines.
Even small acts of care can save lives!
Suicide Prevention and Education
Preventing suicide involves more than responding to crises. Effective strategies include:
- Early Identification: Recognizing warning signs and risk factors through screening, conversation, and training
- Encouraging Help-Seeking: Making services accessible, reducing stigma, and promoting awareness of resources
- Access to Care: Connecting people to evidence-based treatment, counseling, and support programs
- Crisis Response: Offering mobile crisis teams, walk-in clinics, and 24/7 hotlines
- Postvention Support: Supporting individuals and communities after a suicide to reduce risk of additional trauma
- Means Safety: Reducing access to lethal means, including safe storage of medications and firearms
- Building Resilience: Teaching coping skills, stress management, and emotional regulation
- Fostering Connectedness: Promoting social support, community programs, and inclusion
For a full overview of evidence-based strategies, visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
Resources
Immediate Crisis Support
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 anytime, 24/7
- Find Your Local Crisis Center - Locate your county/region hotline
- Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
National Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
- SAMHSA - Treatment locators, behavioral health resources, information for families
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center - Evidence-based prevention strategies, guides, and tools
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Support, education, and advocacy for mental health
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) - Resources for those at risk, families, and communities
Educational Resources
- SPRC: Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention - In-depth framework of prevention strategies
- CDC Suicide Prevention - Statistics, research, and prevention guidance
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Research-based information and treatment options
Support for Survivors & Loved Ones
- American Association of Suicidology: Suicide Loss Survivors - Resources for grieving families and friends
- AFSP: Living with Suicide Loss - Guidance and support networks for survivors
Remember
Seeking help is a sign of strength. Santé provides compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone in crisis. Save 988 and your local crisis numbers now. It could save a life.