Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs of suicide and taking them seriously. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. National and local mental health services, listed below, offer telephone, chat, text and other resources for people who are at risk of suicide. Contact your local mental health authority or call 2-1-1 and ask for the LMHA in your area.
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 crisis support and trains volunteers to support people in crisis.
Text: TX to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support in the U.S.
Visit: crisistextline.org
Language Matters
Discussing suicide in a neutral and factual manner decreases stigma and encourages others to open up about suicide. Download Language Matters: Talking About Suicide (PDF) for more information about speaking about suicide in a safe and caring manner.
Postvention
Postvention describes the response provided to individuals and communities to promote hope and healing after a suicide death. To learn more about safe postvention practices, download Postvention (PDF).
Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue is real and affects people working in the mental health field. Combating compassion fatigue is an important part of suicide prevention. Learn more about the symptoms of compassion fatigue by downloading Compassion Fatigue (PDF).
Parent Resources
It is important for parents to know how to talk to their youth about suicide prevention. To learn about connecting with youth to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF) and Youth Suicide Prevention Wallet Card (PDF).
Teacher Resources
It is important for school personnel to know how to talk to their student about suicide prevention. To learn about connecting with students to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Teacher Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF).
Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative
Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative developed the Texas State Plan for Suicide Prevention 2023-2028 and provides free resources, educational information, phone apps and training.
Visit: texassuicideprevention.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
AFSP has local chapters throughout the state that can deliver education programs to schools, workplaces and communities.
Visit: afsp.org/our-work/education/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Local NAMI chapters can deliver education programs to communities.
Visit: nami.org