Suicide Intervention & Resources

In our work at Washoe County School District, we encounter many students, parents, and colleagues who will someday, sometime, somewhere likely need to know what to do, what to say, and how to reach another person regarding the issue of suicide.

Mental Health Resources

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  - Call or Text 988
• De Prevencion del Suicido  1-888-628-9454
• Crisis Call Center- Text line  - text “CARE” to 839863
• Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital - 775-393-2200
• Crisis Support Services 775-784-8090
• Mobile Crisis Response Team Hotline 775-688-1670
• The Hopeline  1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Suicide Prevention

 Know the Signs

• Experiencing a long bout of unhappiness
• Has experienced one or more major losses, such as death, job loss, failure at school or home, loss of a relationship, break-up, or divorce in the family.
• Health problems or major illness
• Experiencing insomnia or sleeping too much
• Decrease in self-care, messier appearance, tardiness, and absence
• Experiencing loss of appetite or overeating
• Increasingly isolated. Avoiding friends, less participation in activities and classes, dropping out or quitting things that they loved or cared about before.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Arranging delivery of notes to the family, "In a couple of days, if anything should ever happen to me".
• Visiting long-missed friends/relatives and apologizing for forgotten arguments.
• Doing poorly in school or at work
• Abusing drugs or alcohol; either beginning to use or an increase in use.
• Suddenly happy after a long depression.
• Making statements about wanting to die or be gone.
• Listening to, composing, and collecting music or poems about death, suicide, or afterlife.

Know the facts

• Very often, if people in crisis get the help they need, they may never be suicidal again.
• Asking someone about suicidal intent opens up communication, lowers the risk of an impulsive act, and helps with anxiety.
• Suicide prevention is everyone's business. Anyone can help to prevent the tragedy of suicide, not just the experts, and talking about prevention does not encourage it or make it more likely.
• Suicidal people share their plans sometimes even the week preceding their attempt, and those who talk about it may try or even complete an act of self-destruction.
• Suicide is the MOST preventable kind of death, and almost any positive action can help save a life.
• The more clues and warning signs observed, the greater the risk. Take all the signs seriously.

Informational Website Resources

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
• Trevor Project
• Centers for Disease Control
• Kids Mental Health Foundation