Resources
Call 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
For immediate help, anytime, day or night
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) is The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, funded by the Federal Government. It provides immediate assistance to individuals in suicidal crisis by connecting them to the nearest crisis center in their area. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) is a national hotline for those at risk of suicide sponsored by the Kristin Brooks Hope Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention and healing. www.hopeline.com
Additional Resources
The following national and local organizations offer information and support. You may also download the Feeling Blue Suicide Prevention Council Resource Manual, a comprehensive guide to suicide facts, support groups and local resources.
The following links will take you to sites over which Feeling Blue Suicide Prevention Council has no control, therefore assumes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the information.
National Suicide Prevention Organizations
The American Association of Suicidology has a comprehensive listing of crisis centers as well as a national directory of support groups for survivors of suicide. www.suicidology.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a national organization with information on suicide prevention programs and support for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. www.afsp.org
LivingWorks Education Inc. LivingWorks has been helping communities become suicide-safer since 1983. Their programs are part of national, regional and organizational suicide prevention strategies around the world. Developed using Rothman’s Social R&D Model, their programs prepare community helpers to intervene and prevent suicide. These learning experiences are interactive, practical, regularly updated and customizable. Comprehensive, layered and integrated, there is a program for everyone who wants to help. www.livingworks.net
The National Council for Suicide Prevention (NCSP) has a mission is to further effective suicide prevention through collaborative activities and information sharing in order to save lives. www.ncsp.org
NOPCAS (National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide) is an organization founded by three African-American suicide survivors. Its goals are to bring suicide and depression awareness to minority communities that have historically been discounted from traditional awareness programs. www.nopcas.com
Positive Aging Resource Center (PARC) was established in 2002 as part of the Targeted Capacity Expansion (TCE) initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to improve the quality of mental health care and service delivery for older adults. PARC serves as a resource to older adults and caregivers, health and social service professionals, and policy makers. http://positiveaging.org/
The QPR Institute offers comprehensive suicide prevention training programs and educational and clinical materials for the general public, professionals, and institutions. Please also refer to our online training page for more information. www.qprinstitute.com
Screening for Mental Health offers organizations the tools to provide screening and education for today's most pressing mental health problems: depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol problems, generalized anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. They also offer suicide prevention programs across the lifecycle and programs that help government agencies address disaster mental health. www.mentalhealthscreening.org
If you would like to help in the nationwide effort to prevent suicide, visit the Suicide Prevention ACTION Network at www.spanusa.org. The Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN USA) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. SPAN USA's members are people in communities across the country: survivors; people who have attempted suicide or struggled with suicidal thoughts, and their families; professionals serving families and communities; community leaders; and concerned citizens.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) supports suicide prevention with the best of science, skills and practice. The Center provides prevention support, training, and informational materials to strengthen suicide prevention networks and advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. www.sprc.org
National Support Groups
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse connects people to self-help and advocacy resources and offer expertise to and about peer-run groups and organizations that serve people who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. www.mhselfhelp.org
The Samaritans is a non-profit, non-religious, volunteer organization whose sole purpose is to provide support to those individuals and groups who are in crisis, have lost someone to suicide and/or are feeling suicidal. www.samaritansnyc.org
Suicide Anonymous is based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is a program designed to help people with suicidal preoccupation and behavior. www.suicideanonymous.org
Youth Suicide Prevention Resources
Active Minds on Campus Active Minds is the nation's only peer-to-peer organization dedicated to the mental health of college students. The organization serves as "the young adult voice" in mental health advocacy on more than fifty college campuses nationwide. www.activemindsoncampus.org
Columbia TeenScreen Program is a national mental health and suicide risk screening program for youth. The goal of the National TeenScreen Program is to make voluntary mental health check-ups available for all American teens. TeenScreen works by assisting communities throughout the nation with developing locally operated and sustained screening programs for youth. www.teenscreen.org
The Jason Foundation, Inc The mission of The Jason Foundation, Inc. is to help educate young people, parents, teachers, and others who work with young people about youth suicide. They offer programs, seminars and support materials to promote awareness and prevention. www.jasonfoundation.com
The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit public charity committed to reducing the youth suicide rate and improving the mental health safety net provided to college students nationwide. www.jedfoundation.org
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) SAVE's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide www.save.org
SOS (Signs of Suicide) Suicide Prevention Program for Secondary Schools is a nationally recognized, cost-effective program of suicide prevention and depression screening for secondary school students. SOS is the only school-based suicide prevention program that has been shown to reduce suicidality in a randomized, controlled study (March 2004, American Journal of Public Health) and it is the only school-based suicide prevention program to be selected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for its Registry of Effective Programs. www.mentalhealthscreening.org/sos_highschool/index.htm
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is a community-based program that uses a universal public health approach, offering workshops and services for schools, community organizations and parents. www.yellowribbon.org
Youth Suicide Prevention Program is the website for the Washington State Youth Suicide Prevention Program whose mission is to reduce teen suicide attempts and deaths in Washington State. Working toward that goal, we build public awareness, offer training, and support communities taking action.www.yspp.org
The Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide is designed to provide accurate, user-friendly information. The Guide is not a program but a tool that provides a framework for schools to assess their existing or proposed suicide prevention efforts (through a series of checklists) and provides resources and information that school administrators can use to enhance or add to their existing program. http://theguide.fmhi.usf.edu/
Depression Resources
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy representing the professional interests of more than 23,000 marriage and family therapists throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. www.aamft.org
The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. www.counseling.org.
American Counselors Mental Health Association The mission of the AMHCA is "To enhance the profession of mental health counseling through licensing, advocacy, education and professional development." www.amhca.org
The American Psychiatric Association is a medical specialty society recognized worldwide. Over 35,000 U.S. and international member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders. Its vision is a society that has available, accessible quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. www.psych.org
American Psychological Association. Based in Washington, DC, the American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With 150,000 members, APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. www.apa.org
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) is psychotherapy based on modifying everyday thoughts and behviors. In CBT, the therapist and client work together to determine the goals for therapy, and how long to continue therapy. www.aabt.org
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides information and available resources including support groups for depression and bipolar disorder. www.dbsalliance.org
Families for Depression Awareness This is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families recognize and cope with depressive disorders. The organization provides education, outreach, and advocacy to support families and friends. Families for Depression Awareness is made up of families who have lost a family member to suicide or have watched a loved one suffer with depression. www.familyaware.org
Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association). MHA is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. www.mnha.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. www.nami.org.
National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists. The NACBT is the leading organization dedicated exclusively to supporting, promoting, teaching, and developing cognitive-behavioral therapy and those who practice it. www.nacbt.org.
New Directions Delaware, Inc. New Directions is a support group for people with depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression) and for their families and friends. They are located in Wilmington, Delaware, and their members come from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. www.newdirectionsdelaware.org.
Facts and Statistics Resources
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information available in research along with most current available statistics. www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/default.htm
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides information about the latest neuroscience research along with most current available statistics. www.nimh.nih.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Vital Statistics, provides statistics for Pennsylvania www.dsf.health.state.pa.us
GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning) Resources
The Trevor Helpline This is a national 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention hotline aimed at gay and questioning youth. Calls are handled by highly trained counselors and are free and confidential. www.thetrevorproject.org
The Attic (215-545-4331) is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth center in the Philadelphia area. It provides a safe space for social activities and interaction for queer youth, as well as sexual education, counseling, support, psychological services, and crisis intervention. www.atticyouthcenter.org
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Hotline, a program of the www.GLBTNationalHelpCenter.org - Toll-free hotline: 1-888-843-4564
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, is working to ensure safe and effective schools for all students. Their website includes information about the Philadelphia Chapter. www.glsen.org
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Hotline Youth Talkline, a program of the
Pennsylvania Resources
The Pennsylvania Suicide Prevention Initiative has developed a Pennsylvania Adult and Older Adult Suicide Prevention Plan. This plan was signed by the Secretaries of three state agencies: Estelle Richman of the Department of Public Welfare, Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Department of Aging, and Calvin B. Johnson, Department of Health. It joins the Youth Suicide Prevention Plan developed in 2002. It can be found on the Department of Public Welfare's website at www.dpw.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/Presentations/PaStrategyForAdultSuicidePrevention.pdf
Pennsylvania's Youth Five-Year Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2004-2007) A statewide Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Workgroup with members from numerous stakeholder groups was formed in 2003 to provide input on the five-year action plan to the Youth Suicide Monitoring Committee, which ensures implementation of the action steps. Here is the link to view the five-year action plan: www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/BehavHealthServChildren/003670733.htm
Contact Greater Philadelphia is a non-profit, United Way agency that provides free, confidential and anonymous telephone helpline services to the residents of the Greater Philadelphia area, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. They are staffed by volunteers who are trained in crisis intervention and active listening skills. www.contactgreaterphiladelphia.org
The Delaware County Suicide Prevention Awareness Task Force offers information and education about, and assistance and support to, efforts to lessen the incidence of suicide and the stigma associated with suicidality and suicide loss. www.delcosuicideprevention.org
Mental Health and Aging. The Mental Health and Aging Advocacy Project is a program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP). (see below) www.mhaging.org
Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania The Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, which reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of the Commonwealth, works on behalf of mental health through advocacy, education and public policy. www.mhapa.org
Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania works to improve services for and treatment of adults with serious mental illness and children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. www.mhasp.org
Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Task Force The mission of the Suicide Prevention Task Force is to develop strategies to reduce the risk of suicide in Montgomery County through the collaborative efforts of community agencies and service providers. www.montcopa.org/suicideprevention
Pennsylvania Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition. The mission of the Coaltion is to advocate expansion, improvement, and development of affordable, appropriate, and accessible behavioral health prevention and treatment services for older Pennsylvanians. www.olderpennsylvanians.org
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association is a statewide membership organization representative of the individual and collective expression of people who have recovered or are recovering from mental illness. www.pmhca.org
STAR-Center is a comprehensive research, treatment, and training center that provides individual assessment and treatment to teens who are experiencing depression and suicidality. It also provides community education services in regards to depression and suicidality to schools, social service agencies, churches and other organizations that request them. www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/star
Survivor of Suicide Resources
Survivors of Suicide The purpose of Survivors of Suicide is to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide resolve their grief and pain in their own personal way. www.survivorofsuicide.com
The Link National Resource Center is a leading resource in the country for suicide prevention and aftercare. It is dedicated to reaching out to those whose lives have been impacted by suicide and connecting them to available resources. www.thelink.org/national_resource_center.htm
The Dougy Center National Center for Grieving Children and Families is the first center in the United States to provide peer support groups for grieving children. www.dougy.org
Friends for Survival, Inc. A National Outreach Program for Survivors of Suicide Loss Friends for Survival, Inc. is an organization of people who have been affected by a death caused by suicide. They are dedicated to providing a variety of peer support services that comfort those in grief, encourage healing and growth, foster the development of skills to cope with a loss and educate the entire community regarding the impact of suicide. www.friendsforsurvival.org
The Survivors of Suicide, Inc. website contains local meeting lists in the tri-state Delaware Valley area, and other helpful contacts and information for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. http://phillysos.tripod.com
