Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know needs support NOW, call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis lifeline.
Mental Health - A Public Health Crisis
The US Surgeon General has declared mental health the defining public health crisis of our time. In 2023, more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide - more than any other year on record. If that statistic isn't startling enough, one in five adults report living with a mental illness.
If you are one of these individuals, it's important to remember you are not alone. In addition to the support offered by our Behavioral Health team, we have listed several resources available to help in your time of need.
Together, we will stop the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Risk Factors
Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance a person may try to take their life. These include:
- Mental health conditions such as depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or anxiety disorders
- Chronic pain
- Traumatic brain injury
- Access to lethal means such as firearms or drugs
- Prolonged stress such as bullying, unemployment or relationship issues
- Stressful life events such as financial problems, loss, divorce or rejection
- Exposure to another's suicide or sensationalized accounts of suicide
- Previous suicide attempts
- Family history of suicide
- Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma
Make a Safety Plan
A safety plan is a written list of coping skills and sources of support an individual can use prior or during crisis. It includes:
- Warning signs
- Internal coping strategies
- Individuals or social settings who can provide distraction
- Individuals available to help
- Professional agencies or resources
- Making the environment safe
- Reasons to live
A sample safety plan can be found below. For a printable plan, click here.
Warning Signs
- If a person talks about killing themselves, feeling hopeless, no reason to live, being a burden to others, feeling trapped or unbearable pain
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Looking for ways to end life, i.e. online searches
- Withdrawing from activities
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
- Giving away prized possessions
- Aggression
- Fatigue
- Depression or anxiety
- Loss of interest
- Irritability
- Humiliation or shame
- Agitation or anger
- Relief or sudden improvement
Warning Signs
Thoughts, images, moods, situations and behaviors which indicate a crisis may be developing. Warning signs may include:
- Withdrawing from activities
- Irritability
- Sleeping more or less
- Aggression
- Unhealthy coping skills such as substance abuse, violence, yelling, etc.
Internal Coping Strategies
Internal coping strategies are things we can do to take our mind off our problems. Coping strategies may include:
- Deep breathing
- Drawing
- Journaling
- Listening to music
- Create a gratitude list
For a list of suggested coping strategies, click here.
Find a Distraction
During times of crisis, it may be helpful to have people or social settings which can provide a distraction. A few ideas include:
- Going to a sporting event - locally or ticketed
- Community events such as music or movies in the park
- Community theater
- Hanging out with friends
Ask for Help
It's important to create a list of individuals or professional agencies you can contact during a crisis. These may include:
- A parent, friend or other relative
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988 - Available 24/7
- National Suicide Hotline - 1-800-SUICIDE - Available 24/7
- Crisis Text Line - Text BRAVE to 741-741 - Available 24/7
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) - 1-800-656-HOPE- Available 24/7
Create a Safe Environment
It's important to decrease access to lethal means.
- Guns: Place in a safe or restrict access
- Medications: Restrict access and monitor use
- Sharp Items: Restrict access and place into a lockbox
Your Reason to Live
Create a list of your reasons to live. These reasons may include:
- Your family
- To graduate college
- Take care of your pets
Community Resources
A wide variety of community resources/assistance is available. Agencies are listed by county and the type of resource or assistance they provide. To view the resources available in your community, please click the county you live in.
