Suicide. Hearing or even just thinking the word brings a rush of emotions. It can be painful if you’ve experienced suicidal thoughts yourself, know someone who has, or if you lost a loved one to suicide. It is difficult to understand and even harder to talk about.
It’s a myth to think that suicide or suicidal thoughts can only affect adults. It’s heartbreaking that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year-olds, according to Mental Health America (MHA).
But, for these reasons and so many more, we must talk about suicide. One open, caring, nonjudgmental conversation can save a life.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. At The Guidance Center this month and all-year-round, we want to encourage our friends to learn the warning signs and risk factors, reach out to loved ones and create safe spaces to talk about suicide.
Art created by a former client of The Guidance Center.
If you or someone you care about is struggling, we encourage you to seek help. Our therapists at The Guidance Center are here to help.
If you are in crisis or know someone who is, please contact a crisis resource immediately.
Crisis Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
- Covenant House Nine Line Call 800-999-9999
Covenant House Nine Line is a free, confidential crisis hotline for youth and parents. They can also provide information on shelters, referrals, information, crisis intervention and health clinic.
- Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center Call 877-727-4747
Caring counselors are available to talk 24/7. Toll free in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties.
- Crisis Text Line Text 741-741
If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
- The Trevor Project Call 866-488-7386
- Trevor Lifeline – The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people (ages 13-24), available at 1-866-488-7386.
- TrevorChat – A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors, open daily from 3–10pm ET / Noon–7pm PT. Click here to start chatting.
- TrevorText – A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available Monday–Friday from 3–10pm ET / Noon–7pm PT at 202-304-1200.
Informational Resources
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Mental Health America (MHA)
- The Trevor Project