Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. Sometimes your struggle can be underestimated because of your age. But we hear you, and help is available.
How To Take Care Of Yourself
Ask for help:
Don’t be afraid to let your friends, family, or teachers know what you need when they ask; they want to help. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline any time — calls are confidential.
Make a safety plan:
A safety plan can help guide you through difficult moments and keep you safe. Learn how to make your own.
Remember that this feeling can be overcome: Family conflict, relationships, grades, sexual identity, and the loss of important people can seem impossible to deal with. But with support from others, you can.
Evaluate the relationships in your life:
Love and friendship are all about respect. Toxic or unhealthy relationships can negatively affect you. Whether you’re dating or building new friendships, remember your rights. If you’re being bullied, help is also available.
How To Help
Take your loved one seriously:
Some people feel that kids who say they are going to hurt or kill themselves are “just doing it for attention.” But if your child, friend, or family member confides thoughts of suicide, believe them and get help.
Listen with empathy and provide support:
A fight or breakup might not seem like a big deal, but for a young person it can feel immense. Sympathize and listen. Minimizing what your child or friend is going through can increase his or her sense of hopelessness.
Learn the warning signs: Friends sometimes let friends know if they are thinking about suicide or dying. Other times, changes in behavior may show that someone is struggling.
Don’t keep suicide a secret: If your friend is considering suicide, don’t promise to keep it a secret. Tell him or her you can help, but you need to involve other people, like a trusted adult. Neither of you have to face this alone.
We Can All Prevent Suicide
Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.We Believe Hope Can Happen
Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.
We Can All Take Action
Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others.
Crisis Centers are Critical
By offering immediate counseling to everyone that may need it, local crisis centers provide invaluable support at critical times and connect individuals to local services.
Know the Risk FactorsRisk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.
Know the Warning SignsSome warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline.
For more information go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org
This is just a small portion of what is available at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Resources For Youth
You Matter
Active Minds
The Trevor Project
Love Is Respect
StopBullying.gov
Ditch the Label
Oregon Specific Crisis Contacts:
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. Sometimes your struggle can be underestimated because of your age. But we hear you, and help is available.
How To Take Care Of Yourself
Ask for help:
Don’t be afraid to let your friends, family, or teachers know what you need when they ask; they want to help. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline any time — calls are confidential.
Make a safety plan:
A safety plan can help guide you through difficult moments and keep you safe. Learn how to make your own.
Remember that this feeling can be overcome: Family conflict, relationships, grades, sexual identity, and the loss of important people can seem impossible to deal with. But with support from others, you can.
Evaluate the relationships in your life:
Love and friendship are all about respect. Toxic or unhealthy relationships can negatively affect you. Whether you’re dating or building new friendships, remember your rights. If you’re being bullied, help is also available.
How To Help
Take your loved one seriously:
Some people feel that kids who say they are going to hurt or kill themselves are “just doing it for attention.” But if your child, friend, or family member confides thoughts of suicide, believe them and get help.
Listen with empathy and provide support:
A fight or breakup might not seem like a big deal, but for a young person it can feel immense. Sympathize and listen. Minimizing what your child or friend is going through can increase his or her sense of hopelessness.
Learn the warning signs: Friends sometimes let friends know if they are thinking about suicide or dying. Other times, changes in behavior may show that someone is struggling.
Don’t keep suicide a secret: If your friend is considering suicide, don’t promise to keep it a secret. Tell him or her you can help, but you need to involve other people, like a trusted adult. Neither of you have to face this alone.
We Can All Prevent Suicide
Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.We Believe Hope Can Happen
Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.
We Can All Take Action
Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others.
Crisis Centers are Critical
By offering immediate counseling to everyone that may need it, local crisis centers provide invaluable support at critical times and connect individuals to local services.
Know the Risk FactorsRisk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.
- Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
- Alcohol and other substance use disorders
- Hopelessness
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- History of trauma or abuse
- Major physical illnesses
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- Family history of suicide
- Job or financial loss
- Loss of relationship(s)
- Easy access to lethal means
- Local clusters of suicide
- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
- Stigma associated with asking for help
- Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
- Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
- Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)
Know the Warning SignsSome warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline.
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
For more information go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org
This is just a small portion of what is available at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Resources For Youth
You Matter
Active Minds
The Trevor Project
Love Is Respect
StopBullying.gov
Ditch the Label
Oregon Specific Crisis Contacts:
- Oregon Youth Line 1-877-968-8491 text: teen2teen to 839863
- Crisis Resolution Center for the State of Oregon 1-541-474-5360
- Oregon Suicide LifeLine 1-800-273-8255
- County Map with Crisis Numbers
- National Alliance on Mental Illness, toll-free Helpline: 800-343-6264 or NAMI Oregon
- Safe Oregon
- Lines for life
- Youth Era
- National Crisis Text Line: 741741
- TransLifeLine 1-877-565-8860
- Suicide Prevention and AfterCare 1-404-256-9797
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL): 1-800-273-8255 (chat line available)
- Warm Line (National Line if you need to talk to someone) 1-800-698-2392
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center, a national resource center that promotes suicide prevention
- The Trevor Project, The Trevor Project (line specifically for LGBTQ young people, open 24/7) at 1-866-488-7386
- ReachOut.com, An organization that "meets youth where they are to deliver peer support and mental health information in a safe and supportive online space."
- Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs (AOCMHP) - Support and advocate for Local Mental Health Authorities.
- Children’s Mental Health Network - We are a national network bringing together the voices of children's mental health. Join us to benefit from up-to-date information singularly focused on children’s mental health care.
- Mental Health First Aid - Mental Health First Aid is an in-person training that teaches you how to help people developing a mental illness or in a crisis.
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Sciences Administration - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
- Question. Persuade. Refer. - Three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide.
- Mental Health Fast Facts - Basic Facts About Mental Health.
- Center for Parent Information and Resources - Mental Health
- Trauma Informed Oregon - Trauma Informed Oregon is a statewide collaborative aimed at preventing and ameliorating the impact of adverse experiences on children, adults and families. We work in partnership to promote and sustain trauma informed policies and practices across physical, mental, and behavioral health systems and to disseminate promising strategies to support wellness and resilience.
- Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition - Community supports for suicide and other risk behaviors.
- Resources for Crisis and Trauma Response - This page contains resources for adults, parents, teachers and students dealing with a traumatic event.