Prevention
Struggling with Suicide
Experiencing thoughts of depression or hopelessness can cause feelings of emotional pain and isolation. It is important that if you are experiencing these symptoms you seek support for yourself and know there are resources to help you navigate these hard times. Seeking help is a sign of strength and will allow you to learn how to combat negative thoughts and feelings of despair. At times, many people struggle with feelings of loneliness, isolation, fear, and hopelessness. It is important to recognize signs within yourself that it may be time to seek help from an adult.
For support, contact the following organizations:
Support Resources
800-852-8336 or text “TEEN” to 839863
888-448-9777
Suicide Prevention
Students will often confide in their friends about their thoughts of suicide and self-injury (cutting).
Students can help their friends access support by:
- Telling their friend they are there for them.
- Letting their friend know this is a secret they cannot keep.
- Walking their friend to a trusted adult (school counselor, school psychologist, school nurse, teacher, parent).
- Tell a trusted adult.
The website links below offer many resources for students to access information about suicide prevention and how to help a friend who is struggling with suicidal thoughts.
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NASP Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is a professional association that works to promote effective practices and improve students’ learning, behavior and mental health. This resource provides tips for teens to help their friends who are struggling suicidal thoughts.
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Teen Line
Teen Line is a confidential hotline for teenagers which operates every evening from 6:00pm-10:00pm PST. If you have a problem or just want to talk with another teen who understands, then this is the right place for you.
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Crisis Text Line Text START to 741741
The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 support to people in crisis.
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SPRC Suicide Prevention for Teens
This Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) handout offers suicide prevention resources for students.
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Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website lists resources and ways to get help, learn about suicide prevention and get involved in suicide prevention activities.
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Know the Signs
Know the Signs is a website dedicated to promoting suicide prevention signs and helping those experiencing suicidal ideation to reach out for assistance.
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The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
This website provides information about suicide prevention, promotes awareness of youth suicide, and contains resources for students, parents, and educators.
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It Gets Better Project
The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBTQ+ people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBTQ+ community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.
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Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
Smartphone Apps
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Virtual Hope Box (Apple App Store)
The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers with simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. The VHB provides help with emotional regulation and coping with stress via personalized supportive audio, video, pictures, games, mindfulness exercises, positive messages and activity planning, inspirational quotes, coping statements, and other tools.
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Virtual Hope Box (Google Play Store)
The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers with simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. The VHB provides help with emotional regulation and coping with stress via personalized supportive audio, video, pictures, games, mindfulness exercises, positive messages and activity planning, inspirational quotes, coping statements, and other tools.
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A Friend Asks
A Friend Asks is a smartphone application, provided by the Jason Foundation, which is designed with information and resources for users to help a friend or themselves who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. The application provides information with regards to warning signs of suicidal ideation, how to help and get help, and what to say.