Suicide Awareness
You Are Not Alone! Help is available 24/7.
In Connecticut, call or text 988, or chat online.
From identifying warning signs to providing effective intervention strategies, the Hub fosters a compassionate community where everyone feels valued. Our team coordinates suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, grief support, and recovery activities across multiple sectors and settings. We accomplish this through educational training, community presentations, and through our Regional Suicide Advisory Board (RSAB).
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Regional Suicide Advisory Board
The Regional Suicide Advisory Board’s (RSAB) mission is to strategically plan, coordinate, and bolster suicide awareness and safety initiatives spanning prevention, intervention, grief support, and recovery. Its membership is open to anyone passionate about combatting suicide. We support the work and vision of the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) in partnership with the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Children and Families (DCF). To learn how you can get involved, click here. or contact Victoria O’Neill.
In the Summer of 2020, RSAB held the first Postvention Training in CT. We envision that each municipality in our region will create a Postvention Team trained in best practices to respond to suicide in their community.
988: The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers phone, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors day and night. Anyone can ask for help if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance misuse, a mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
Suicide Prevention
Know the Warning Signs & What to Do
If you believe someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 911.
If you are concerned that someone may be suicidal, #BeThe1To:
- ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
- KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to lethal items or dangerous places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking the at-risk person if they have a plan and removing or disabling lethal options can make a difference.
- BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
- HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text) and the Crisis Text Line number (741741) in your phone. You can also help the individual make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
- STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis can be effective. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when the at-risk person knows that someone cares.
Source: NIMH
Prevention Resources:
- #RealConvo guides from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention Resource for Action
- Facts on Suicide Quiz from the QPR Institute
After a Suicide: Postvention
Postvention is a planned response after a suicide to help with healing and reduce risk of further suicide incidents. Knowing someone who has died by suicide increases risk for suicide in others, especially teens. Click here for more information and resources.
Regional Support Groups
Training
Our range of suicide awareness and prevention training is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to support those in need. From recognizing warning signs to offering effective intervention strategies, the Hub helps to create a caring community where everyone feels understood and supported. Join us to improve our community’s mental health awareness, which saves lives. Learn more here.
