Suicide Prevention Week - Important Numbers To Know

Graphic courtesy of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

 This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. I had intended to write a bit about this topic each day, but life happens. Better late than never!

This is topic is SO important, so expect to see more than one post in the next few days. I'll be giving you some information, passing along some links, and hopefully, this will stick in your head so that if you encounter someone in crisis or you find yourself in crisis, you'll be better educated and ready to help.

First up -- the two most important phone numbers you need to know:

Graphic courtesy of suicidepreventionlifeline.org

This is, as it says, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It's totally free and available 24/7 every day of the year. When you call, the national number patches you through to the crisis center nearest you, which takes just a minute or so and then a trained crisis worker will answer your call. That person can be a listening ear and a resource for finding mental health services in your area. You can call even if you're not the one in crisis, but you're trying to help someone who is or you're worried about someone who is in crisis and don't know what to do. The entirety of the call is confidential as well. If you are calling because you are in crisis, don't worry about saying the wrong thing or not knowing what to say, just make the call. So many times when I've been in a crisis situation, just being able to vent all my feelings to someone who will listen and not judge has been helpful enough to get me to a place where the feelings I'm feeling are a bit less intense. It's gotten me through the darkest of things so that I could get myself somewhere safe and with someone who could help me get through the rest of the crisis.

In an extreme emergency, the other number you can call is:

Graphic courtesy of 911.gov

This is, of course, valid in most of the United States and Canada, although it may not be a valid emergency number in other countries. Check with your local government to find the proper number for your area. If you are travelling abroad, here are a few of the most common emergency numbers:

• Most of Europe -- 112; in the UK and Ireland you can dial 999 as well as 112
• Australia -- 000
• New Zealand -- 111
• Parts of Africa -- 112 or 999
• Central and South America -- 911, 112, or 999 -- depending on the country

Calling 911 in this situation would be most appropriate when you are concerned about someone and are unable to be present with them. I had a friend who was concerned about me in college who did this. He was several states away and called 911. The dispatcher near him found out where I lived and where I went to school and alerted campus security who came and knocked on my door. He saved me from making a very big and potentially fatal mistake. You can also call if you are with someone and feel as though the situation is getting out of control (i.e. they've locked themselves in a bathroom with their means or potential means and they're not responding) or if you feel unable to help them on your own. If someone is seriously contemplating suicide, don't be afraid to dial 9-1-1 for help. This is definitely an emergency.

Next up: some resource links for helping yourself or helping someone you know who may be contemplating suicide.