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.

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) 

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.

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.

They are expanding their assistance to people whose lives have been affected by suicide by reaching out to offer support and offering opportunities to become involved in prevention.

Western PA Chapter Contact: Jesse Putkoski
412-510-9514
jputkoski@afsp.org

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).

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.

SAVE was one of the nation’s first organizations dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Our work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. Through raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools, we know we can SAVE lives.

SPRC is the nation’s only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. They provide technical assistance, training, and materials to increase the knowledge and expertise of suicide prevention practitioners and other professionals serving people at risk for suicide. They also promote collaboration among a variety of organizations that play a role in developing the field of suicide prevention.

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 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.

A short article posted by the National Association of School Psychologists regarding suicide risk factors, warning signs, guidelines for what to do, and resiliency factors.

Assists high schools and school districts in designing and implementing strategies to prevent suicide and promote behavioral health. Includes tools to implement a multi-faceted suicide prevention program that responds to the needs and cultures of students. Released in June 2012.

A comprehensive suicide prevention guide for schools created by the University of South Florida. Includes Issue Briefs and checklists for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention topics.

A Resource for School Personnel: This guide was created by The Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program, a SAMSHA sponsored effort. It includes a readiness checklist that expands on the one created by SAMSHA. It also includes many sample documents for prevention, intervention and postvention.

This guide includes important points for covering suicide, “do’s and don’ts” for safe reporting, and suggestions for the online media/message boards/bloggers.