Mental illness is incredibly common and with mental illness often comes times of crisis. Though not all crises involve suicide or suicidal ideation, it is important to know where to turn if you or a loved one are feeling suicidal.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 34 in the United States, according to the National Institute on Mental Health. Suicide is also the tenth leading cause of death in the United States overall.

Suicide and suicidal ideation (the thoughts or planning of suicide) is incredibly painful for both the suicidal person and their friends and family involved.  This is why it is imperative that if you or a loved one is suicidal, you seek help immediately. Luckily, help is available for nearly every demographic.

General Suicide Hotlines

There are suicide hotlines that offer specialized services, but there is also a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that can be utilized by anyone and everyone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides a toll-free hotline that you can call at any time to speak to a crisis counselor. This hotline also provides resources for the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as Spanish-speaking counselors.

To utilize this resource, call 1-800-273-8255.

LGBTQ Resources

Though anyone can experience suicidal ideation, certain populations have higher rates of suicide. The LGBTQ+ population is disproportionately at risk for suicide. The Trevor Project is the leading organization in providing crisis resources to LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. Founded in 1998, the Trevor Project has been working constantly to prevent suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. The Trevor Project provides a telephone crisis line, a text crisis line, and an online instant messaging line for people in need.

To utilize this resource, call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678.

Veterans Resources

Like the LGBTQ+ population, veterans are also disproportionately affected by suicide. There are on average 125 suicides per day in the United States, and around 15 are veterans or active-duty military personnel. The Veterans Crisis Line, launched in 2007, has accepted over three million calls since its inception. It provides a telephone crisis line, text crisis line, and an online chat line for all veterans and military personnel at any time.

To utilize this resource, call 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255.

Native Americans and Alaska Native

Native Americans and Alaska Natives are another population that is at higher risk for suicide than the general population. Though there is no specific hotline for people of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, there are resources available through the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline has trained counselors for multiple demographics and resources specifically geared towards the Native population.

To utilize this resource, call 1-800-273-8255

Attempt Survivors

Suicide attempt survivors are likely to attempt again within the first three months of recovery. This makes it all the more necessary that survivors have resources readily available to them. Like the Native American demographic, there is no specific hotline for suicide attempt survivors, but there are websites dedicated to providing them with resources.

Attempt survivors can call the Suicide Prevention Hotline. To utilize this resource, call 1-800-273-8255.