Browse crisis resources for parents. You will find apps and additional resources.

From time to time you may encounter a person who is expressing thoughts of suicide on your social media sites. If someone you know online is showing any of these warning signs, it is important that you post a message encouraging them to call the Lifeline. If you are friends with the person in real life or know where the person is, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) so that you can talk to a crisis counselor.

The American Psychological Association provides advice on talking to teens about suicide.

The mission of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is to reduce the number of youth suicides and attempted suicides by encouraging public awareness through the development and promotion of educational training programs.

Here is a resource from the National Association for School Psychologists in regard to the trending Netflix series "13 Reasons Why," which is based on a young adult novel of the same name.  The series revolves around 17-year-old Hannah Baker, who takes her own life. This document was geared for educators but is useful to parents.

This is a new resource for students and families. On July 16, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formally designated 988 as a nationwide three-digit phone number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-TALK (8255), the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in our national network of more than 150 crisis centers. The Lifeline’s national network of local crisis centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals day and night.  1-800-273-8255.

The Boys Town National Hotline provides support to youth and parents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is staffed by highly trained counselors, and is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology. 1-800-448-3000.

Text “START” to 741-741 to text with a crisis counselor. The Crisis Text Line is similar to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and other hotlines, but allows those in crisis to text in rather than call. It operates 24 hours a day.

Re:Solve Crisis Network provides round-the-clock, mental health crisis intervention and stabilization services for residents of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. 1-888-769-8226 (7-YOU-CAN) 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has been at the forefront of a wide  range of suicide prevention initiatives – each designed to reduce loss of life from  suicide. They are investing in groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration projects and critical policy work. And they are expanding their assistance to people, whose lives have been affected by suicide, reaching out to offer support and offering opportunities to become involved in prevention. Western PA Chapter Contact: Jennifer Sikora; Phone Number: (412-260-0789); E-mail: westernpa@afsp.org

CASSP - Children's Behavioral Health: A comprehensive system of care for children and adolescents with behavioral health needs and their families. Allegheny County Mental Health Coordinator: Gerogianne Palaoro; Human Services Building 3rd Floor; One Smithfield St.; Pittsburgh, PA 15222; Phone: (412) 350-4472 and E-mail: georgianne.palaoro@alleghenycounty.us.

This link provides a comprehensive list of resources promoted by the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative including a Crisis Intervention Hotline and other County Mental Health Resources.

The Pennsylvania Adult/Older Adult Suicide Prevention Coalition (PAOASPC) and the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (PAYSPI) have merged to form a new organization called Prevent Suicide PA.  Prevent Suicide PA will address suicide prevention across the life span.  The organization's goal is to prevent suicide in Pennsylvania through education, training, awareness, reducing stigma, and involving those with lived experience (Loss and Attempt Survivors).

Services for Teens At Risk (STAR-Center) is a comprehensive research, treatment, and training center. Funded by the State of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly in 1986 to address adolescent suicide and depression, the program provides individual assessment and treatment to teens that are experiencing depression and suicidality. They also provide community education services about depression and suicidality to schools, social service agencies, churches and other organizations that request them.