Suicide Prevention
The Indiana Department of Health Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention created a Suicide Prevention and Postvention Resource Guide to aid members of the community in seeking help for themselves or someone they know. This guide also provides resources for after a suicide whether that be survivors or those grieving.
Getting Help
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Call or Text 988
Be Well Crisis Helpline - Speak with a trained counselor 24/7 regarding stress, anxiety, loneliness or mental health strains.
Call 211, enter your zip code, then press 3
Crisis Text Line– A live, trained Crisis Counselor will receive and respond to your text
Text HOME to 741741
Veterans Crisis Line– 24/7 confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.
Call 988 then Press 1, Text 838255, or Chat Online
The Trevor Project – Connect to a trained counselor who understands the challenges of LGBTQ youth.
Call 1-866-488-7386, Text 678678, or Chat Online
Mental Health America of Indiana - Works for Indiana's mental health and victory over mental illness through education, advocacy, and direct services.
1431 North Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 638-3501
(317) 638-3540 (fax)
Know the Warning Signs
Learn the warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide. If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, get help.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, many people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs. Some of these are listed below:
- Talk: A person may talk about feeling hopeless, being a burden to others, or feeling trapped.
- Mood: A person may show feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability, shame, or anger.
- Behavior: They may show a change in behavior, isolate from family or friends, increase use of alcohol or drugs, or search for suicide methods.
How to Help Someone
When a friend or loved one is thinking about suicide, it can be scary. However, you can be the difference in connecting them to the help they need. #BeThe1To promotes 5 research-based steps to guide your conversations with someone who may be thinking about suicide.
- Ask the person directly if they are thinking about suicide and listen to their answers without judgment. Do not promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret.
- Be There by being physically present, staying in touch, or any other way that shows support for them. If you can’t be physically present, consider helping them brainstorm others who can help as well.
- Put time and distance between them and dangerous items. Keep Them Safe by removing their access to lethal means.
- Help Them Connect to ongoing supports like the 988 Lifeline that can help them find local resources. Explore mental health resources with them, help them develop a safety plan, or make sure they can easily find hotline numbers.
- Follow Up by sending a text or giving a call. This may be a time to check if there’s more you can help with.
More Resources
Toolkits
- Best Practices for Talking About Suicide for Medical Examiners and Coroners
- Free "Ask Suicide-Screening Questionnaire" Toolkit
Reports
- Alcohol and Drug Misuse and Suicide and the Millennial Generation
- Anxiety and Depression in Children
- U.S. Teen Suicides Rising, Especially Among Boys
Minority Populations
- African American Mental Health and Suicide Disparities
- Suicide Among Lesbian and Gay Male Individuals: Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System
- The Trevor Project: National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2019
WISQARS Data Visualization Videos
Other Resources
- CDC's Suicide Prevention Information
- Suicide Fast Facts
- CDC's Preventing Suicide Factsheet
- MMWR, October, 2011: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years (2008-2009)
- MMWR, June 2018: Trends in State Suicide Rates and Circumstances Contributing to Suicide (1999–2016)
- CDC's Suicide Data Sources