Resources – Hotlines, Websites & Videos
If you are feeling suicidal these resources can be useful in two ways. One way, is simply helping you find support, The other way is to give you ways to “help others help you.”
You can literally say, “Check out these websites and videos. They will help you help me.” You can also watch the videos together or talk about the topics in the websites. That may sound strange, but it will get you connected and on some common ground.
Hotlines/Textline
There are a number of suicide prevention hotlines out there, but most seem get answered by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-talk (8255)
(Also the number for the Veterans Crisis Line and takes calls for other hotlines)
Automated beginning to route you to the nearest counselor. It took 2 minutes to get to a counselor
The Trevor Project (LGBT focus): 1-866- 488 -7386
Answered by a person immediately.
Crisis Text Line
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Text HOME to 741741. This is a text hotline. Automated beginning that will ask for a little information, then connected to a counselor for texting.
Websites
Links may go bad over time, so please let me know if you find a bad link.
HelpGuide.org
Excellent site with lots of clear information, guidance and resources
If You Are Feeling Suicidal
Metanoia
This links directly to a very personal “letter” to a suicidal person. The style and guidance are excellent. Some of the resources noted at the end may be out of date.
https://metanoia.org/suicide/spagebw.htm
Videos
The videos take a more personal look at suicide, often with the voices of teens.
Breckenridge High School Students
This is the full-length version of the Breckenridge High School video that won the Minnesota State Suicide Prevention Student Video competition. Powerful soundtrack and good story of suicidal girl and her friends. 5.5 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAEs8L1JeGQ
Mayo Clinic
“In this video created by Mayo Clinic, teens describe common signs that a teen is considering suicide and provide encouragement for communicating directly and immediately for support and safety. It also Includes suggestions for what to say to a teen who may be at risk for suicide and ways to keep them safe.”
Teens doing the talking. 4 minutes
Jordan Burnham Suicide Attempt at 16
Powerful story told by Jordan Burnham. 11 minutes
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/learn/video.aspx?vid=EBS0YggSTTo
The Truth About Suicide on College Campuses
College students talking about their experience. Lots of insights. 12.5 minutes
Sadie Penn TED-X talk – her suicide attempt
Sadie Penn is a suicide survivor and is now an advocate of suicide prevention. She feels it’s time to talk about the struggle and get it out in the open. Direct messages for teens feeling suicidal and those that might help. 12 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRo5Db_7yVI
This Site & Your Support Network
This site is not a substitute for emergency services, therapy, counseling or other sources of support.
It can be part of your support network, but you need to add other elements to that network and quickly. Many of those support elements are noted here and you can find more. You may have looked already and been disappointed. But, look again because they are out there. You may find a bunch through the resources noted here if you get connected with them. Sometimes it happens quickly and sometimes it takes a while and is frustrating.
You can develop your courage by taking the risk to say, “I need help.” You can develop your ability to persevere in life by continuing to take steps even with no guarantee of success. And you can build your resilience – your ability to bounce back – by continuing to bounce back from disappointments.
It may seem a bit weird, but recovering from the desire to commit suicide can significantly deepen your courage, perseverance and resilience – and they are three of the keys to a successful life.
