The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act has passed in the US House of Representatives today!  It aims to create a three-digit number (988) for suicide prevention and mental health crises, and direct calls to the already-established National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Having previously passed in the Senate, it is awaiting presidential approval and signature, and will require all telephone service providers to route calls from the Lifeline to 988 by July 16, 2022.

In the meantime, here are some resources to assist you in finding suicide prevention information, contacts and resources for yourself and others.  As safety is paramount, if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or know of someone that is, calling 911 is the first line of intervention.  You may also go to your local emergency room for assistance.

Note: This information is not exhaustive, nor is its inclusion an endorsement by The Office of Wellness and Mental Health.

Who to contact:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
  • Available 24/7
  • 1-800-273-8255, or chat
  • 1-888-628-9454 (Spanish Language)
  • 711 (Deaf or hard of hearing)
  • 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255, or chat (Veterans)

• PRS Crisis Link Hotline (Northern Virginia):
  • Available 24/7
  • 703-527-4077 or text CONNECT to 85511
  • 711 (Deaf or hard of hearing)

• Crisis Text Line:
  • Available 24/7
  • Text HOME to 741741

• The Trevor Project (LGBT):
  • Available 24/7
  • 1-866-488-7386
  • Text START to 678678
  • TrevorCHAT

• Community Services Board (for crisis intervention, emergency evaluation and aftercare)
  • Available 24/7, ask for an Emergency Services clinician
  • City of Alexandria, 703-746-3401
  • Arlington County, 703-228-5160
  • Fairfax-Falls Church Counties, 703-573-5679
  • Loudoun County, 703-777-0320
  • Prince William County, 703-792-4900 (Woodbridge), 703-792-7800 (Manassas)
  • Rappahannock Area, 540-373-6876 (Caroline, King George, Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties, and the City of Fredericksburg)
  • Rappahannock-Rapidan Area, 540-825-5656 (Fauquier and Culpeper Counties)

Warning signs that intervention may be necessary:

• Talking about:
  • Killing themselves
  • Having no reason to live
  • Not wanting to live
  • Feeling trapped
  • Not wanting to be here anymore
  • Experiencing unbearable pain
  • Feeling like a burden to others

• Exhibiting behaviors of:
  • Withdrawing from activities
  • Isolating from others
  • Increased drinking or substance use
  • Recklessness
  • Aggression
  • Planning ways to kill themselves, including internet searches and gathering means to inflict harm
  • Cutting, or other self-harm actions
  • Sleeping too much, or not enough
  • Giving away treasured possessions
  • Goodbye calls and/or visits to others

• Displaying signs of:
  • Abrupt/erratic changes in mood
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Anhedonia (lack of interest in activities once enjoyed)
  • Rage
  • Feeling humiliated, attacked, dismissed or singled out

Resources on suicide and self-harm:

• Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN)
• Mental Health America
• The Jed Foundation
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Self-Injury Outreach and Support
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• Suicide Prevention Hotline
• ULifeline
• Seize the Awkward
• BeThe1To
• Do Not Change The Subject (film on surviving suicide)

Although suicide is a difficult topic and experience for many, we cannot remain silent.  If you or a classmate/colleague/friend/family member is struggling, remember, there is hope and help is out there.  Let’s work together to quell our fear of the “s” word, to keep each other safe and well, and to end the stigma of self-harm and suicidal thinking.  You are not alone, your life is precious, and you are worthy of becoming your best self; you just have to be around to see how far you can fly!