Resources for Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Here are some resources to assist with developing good mental health as well as preventing self-harm and suicide. Check back often for new and updated information! Also, please report any links that do not work or any information that needs updating.

Hotlines/Helplines

For a complete list, visit this Maine DHHS WEBPAGE

Learn more…

  • Suicide Safer Care Portal serves as a gateway (portal!) to FREE online training for anyone interested in preventing suicide.  Work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home!

Help your friend…

  • SeizetheAwkward.org serves as a great new resource that features tutorial videos, information on warning signs, conversation starters, tips on how to sustain a conversation around mental health, and personal story videos.

Organizations

    Crisis Text Line

    • Text “Home” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor 24/7 and receive free support.
    • Learn more about the Crisis Text Line. They also offer chat and “WhatsApp” access.
    • Discover the power of the data from this nationwide Crisis Text Line by listening to founder Nancy Lubin describe it: How Data from a Text Line is Saving Lives.

    Legal Considerations

    •  This is a document provided by the Maine Suicide Prevention Program and Maine Department of Education that answers some of the frequently asked questions about this law as it applies to suicide awareness and prevention in Maine Public Schools.
    • Social Media Victims Law Center This Seattle-based Law Firm “works to hold social media companies legally accountable for the harm they inflict on vulnerable users.” The site does offer some resources for prevention but bear in mind their focus is on the legal aspects.

      Social Media

      •  The folks at Facebook are well-known for changing things, but this step-by-step instruction sheet should be reasonably close to the current procedure!
      • Netsmartz.org is a fantastic website and resource geared primarily to educators but also has particular tabs for parents and law enforcement. Everything you wanted to know about online safety (including cell phone use)… curriculum, videos to show kids,  almost endless resources.

      Videos

      • Why We All Need to Practice Emotional First Aid by psychologist and author Guy Winch is an all-time favorite of mine. Don’t miss the story about his friend’s five-year-old son!
      • The Bridge Between Suicide and Life by Kevin Briggs This TED talk doesn’t include a lot of psychology, just some very plain talk by a retired state trooper who is credited with talking hundreds of people off their suicidal perch on the Golden Gate Bridge.
      • Confessions of a Depressed Comic by Kevin Breel A TED talk that not only sheds some needed light on depression, it describes how this young man saved his own life.

      Not Vetted…

      As noted, I’ve not vetted or explored the resources listed below.

      Walter Boomsma (“Mr. Boomsma”) writes on a wide array of topics including personal development, teaching and learning. Course information is also available here!