Preventing Suicide

Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. For instance, faith communities can work to prevent suicide simply by helping people navigate the struggles of life to find a sustainable sense of hope, meaning, and purpose, in addition to encouraging individuals to engage in behavioral health care. Schools can implement suicide prevention programs that provide early intervention, while workplaces can encourage employees to utilize employee assistance programs that provide mental health resources and a nurturing, supportive environment for all. Similarly, community centers can host mental health support groups that incorporate wellness activities, and local businesses can promote and encourage mental health awareness by providing resources to employees and customers.

Losing a loved one to suicide can be profoundly painful for family and friends. SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) helps suicide loss survivors find local and national organizations, websites, and other resources that provide support, healing, and a sense of community.

Help for You

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. There are steps you can take to keep yourself safe through a crisis. Call or text 988 any time or chat online with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

You can also visit FindSupport.gov to get support to find resources on:

• Finding low or no-cost support
• Asking for help
• Preparing for treatment

Help for Someone You Know

Learn how to recognize the warning signs when someone’s at risk—and what action steps you can take. If you believe someone may be in danger of suicide:

• Call 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent.
• Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to talk to a caring professional.
• Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.
• Listen without judging and show you care.
• Stay with the person or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person until you can get further help.
• Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

Learn how to talk about mental health to help you speak to a loved one who you may think is experiencing any mental health concerns.

Prevention Strategies and Approaches

You can contribute by reviewing suicide-related data, assessing the needs and readiness of your community, organization, tribe, state, or territory for suicide prevention, and by developing and implementing policies, programs, and practices to prevent suicide in these areas.

Find State specific suicide prevention plans, partnerships, organizations, and SAMHSA grants.

Learn about effective prevention and best practices in suicide prevention, and the Zero Suicide Framework.