Suicide Resources: Get support now

We represent victims of suicide and their families in high-profile cases, and we know that conversations about suicide can be disturbing. If you are struggling, support is available.

Click this button to access a tool that will ask a couple of questions and guide you to support that fits:

If you’re feeling like you want to die or think you may be at risk of suicide, it’s important to reach out to someone. Help is available right now and you do not have to go through this alone.

If you are in immediate danger or think someone is at risk of harm, contact your local emergency services. 

More resources:

In the USA: Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This will provide free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for free and confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This number will continue to work indefinitely.

Crisis Text Line:

Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7. You can text this number from anywhere in the USA to chat via text with a trained a real-life (not a chat bot) human Crisis Counselor. Find more information about the Crisis Text Line at crisistextline.org

You can also use the online chat service and find other resources here.

Veterans:

Dial 800-273-8255 and press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line. They are  caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs; many of them are Veterans themselves. Find more information about the Veterans Crisis Line at www.veteranscrisisline.net.

Have you lost someone to suicide?

Losing someone to suicide is incredibly hard. This workbook from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP) can help you figure out where to turn.   

The ASFP has a program called Healing Conversations which gives those who have lost someone to suicide the opportunity to talk with experienced volunteers.

Volunteers, who are themselves survivors of suicide loss, offer understanding and guidance in the weeks and months following a suicide death. They are familiar with the isolation that so often accompanies a death of this kind and are able to show suicide loss survivors a way forward.

Submit this short online form to request a meeting in person, by phone or by video call. If you have questions about the program, contact healingconversations@afsp.org.

  • There are support groups available for those who have lost someone. AFSP lists U.S. and international suicide bereavement support groups as a public service to loss survivors. Click here to find a group in your area.

Please note that we do not endorse or partner with any of these groups.

Are you a professional who has lost a client to suicide? The New York State Suicide Prevention Office created this Guide for Managers and Supervisors which includes screening tools and clinical interventions,  a guide to first response, contact with the victim’s family, and more.

Do you know someone who may be at risk of suicide?

  • Click here to read advice from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on what to do if you know or are with someone who may be at risk of suicide.
  • Here are some helpful tips on how to have a conversation with someone who you think or know is at risk of suicide.
  • If you aren’t sure whether someone is at risk, read about the warning signs and risk factors.

Are you a journalist reporting on one of our cases, or suicide more generally? Please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Outside the USA:

Outside the USA, visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention to find support in your country or see additional resources below.

Canada

Contact Crisis Services Canada at 833-456-4566. For residents of Quebec, call 866-277-3553 (APPELLE).

You can also find information for regional text messaging services on the Crisis Services Canada website. For additional crisis resources, the Center for Addiction and Mental Health has a list with multilingual options.

Britain

Contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 116-123 or email jo@samaritans.org. Calls are free and confidential.  Callers who are d/Deaf or who have hearing or speech impairments can contact them for support by email jo@samaritans.org or by using the Next Generation Text (NGT) service on 0330 094 5717.

Under 35? Talk to Papyrus from 9am to midnight every day by calling 0800 068 41 41 or text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.

More options for UK support here on the NHS website.

Mexico

Contact the Línea de la Vida at 800-911-2000 for 24/7 support, or email lalineadelavida@salud.gob.mx.

You can also contact Sistema Nacional de Apoyo, Consejo Psicológico e Intervención en Crisis por Teléfono, or SAPTEL, for free 24/7 support at 55-5259-8121.

India

Call the Kiran helpline for 24/7 support at 1800-599-0019. Advice is available in 13 languages.

Australia

If you are in Australia, contact Lifeline for free, confidential support available 24/7 at 13-11-14. Click here for Lifeline’s confidential online chat service. There are more resources at Head to Health.

 

For journalists reporting on our cases, or suicide in general: 

Please reference the below guidance from the ASFP to learn how to report safely and accurately about suicide.

  • Real Stories – The official blog of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
  • Speaking out about suicide – Tips on how those impacted by suicide can share their story safely to best let others know they are not alone, and avoid the risk of contagion.
  • Safe Reporting Training – AFSP offers a training session on safe reporting for reporters. To bring this free thirty minute training to your newsroom, contact your local AFSP chapter .

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