Suicide Prevention Awareness

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month. The Health Department and community social workers can provide information and resources for individuals, families, friends and acquaintances to help someone in need or experiencing a crisis. 

Suicide Hotline numbers

If you believe that someone is suicidal or may cause harm to self or others, seek immediate help. 

There are several options for getting help, so choose the strategy that works best for you and your loved one.

  • Call their mental health clinician and ask for an immediate response.
  • Take them to the closest hospital emergency department. Call ahead to ask if they have mental health clinicians available or referrals to nearby crisis centers.
  • Call local psychiatric emergency services (sometimes called "mobile crisis units") if available in your area.
  • Use - or support your loved one in using - any of these crisis resources:
  1. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 or start an online chat. The suicide prevention lifeline phone number also works: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  2. Crisis Text Line: text LISTEN to 741 741.
  3. The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth: start an online chat, call 1-866-488-7386, or text START to 678 678.
  4. The Trans Lifeline for trans people and their caregivers: call 1-877-565-8860.
  5. Call 9-1-1 in a life-threatening emergency. Training on psychiatric emergencies for police departments varies widely. Involving the police should be a last resort. Emergency services should be involved if the person has seriously harmed themselves or someone else or is in imminent danger.

We urge you to stay with the person until they receive professional help and report feeling safe. If you are unable to remain with the person, find another trusted family member or friend who can provide in-person support.

Warning Signs of Suicide

  • Talking about suicide or making statements like, "I wish I wouldn't wake up."
  • Talking about hopelessness and worthlessness
  • Talking about being a burden and that others would be better off without them
  • Being preoccupied with death
  • Suddenly being happier and calmer (which can indicate that they have a plan)
  • Making unusual visits or calling people they care about to say goodbye
  • Making arrangements or putting their affairs in order
  • Giving their things away
  • Lacking interest in future plans
  • Talking about specific ways of dying or killing themselves

Other Resources

BIPOC Mental Health Resources

Building a Sense of Belonging to Prevent Suicides

Promoting Individual, Family, and Community Connectedness to Prevent Suicidal Behavior

Wellesley Health Department Mental Health and Well-Being Resources