Youth Support and Resources

If you need help, now is a good time to talk confidentially with someone who can help, about the things that may be causing problems or overwhelming you.  

• This is the FREE U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number here: 18002738255.
• Professionals are available to talk to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  
• This phone number will connect you to someone who can help at a certified crisis center nearest to where your call is placed.
• This confidential suicide prevention hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress (including youth), and can provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals day and night. 
• Translators are available speaking approximately 150 languages.   

Introducing the MY3 official App, a free app from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Their website is here:  https://my3app.org

ABOUT: With MY3, you define your network and your plan to stay safe. With MY3 you can be prepared to help yourself and reach out to others when you are having thoughts of suicide.  Features:

• Access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7:  Anyone can call, whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone else. If you need someone to talk to, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always ready for the call.
• Create your support system: Who are your 3? Is it your sister? Your therapist? Maybe even a neighbor down the street?  Add the contact information of the 3 people you feel you would like to talk to when you are having thoughts of suicide.
• Get support at times of greatest need or risk: When you're having thoughts of suicide and it feels like there’s no hope in sight, find support you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or your Support group at any time of the day.
• Build your safety plan:  When you are ready, you can create your customized safety plan by identifying your personal warning signs, coping strategies, distractions and personal networks. This safety plan will be with you at all times and can help you stay safe. Learn more about safety planning.
• Access Important Resources: You can keep all of your resources here on your phone.    

WHERE TO GET THE APP: (MY3 is available free of charge at these websites)

Apple App Store:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my3-suicide-lifeline/id709651264?mt=8

Google Play:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nerdery.my3

WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY:  There is hope and a life to look forward to, even in your darkest moments. MY3 can help you get through your most difficult times. You might also help someone else get through their difficult time.  Download MY3 to make sure that your 3 are there to help you when you need them most.  

THE 5 STEPS: The basics about your new connections and interactions are below, Ask,  Keep Them Safe, Be There, Help Them Stay Connect, and Follow-up... 

"Be The 1 To" is our U.S. National movement for youth to join, connect with others, hear stories, attend events, and help others in distress.  

• Connect with others who may share similar experiences with you at this "Be The 1 To" official website here:   https://www.bethe1to.com
• Multiple resources are available at this website here:   https://www.bethe1to.com/resources

It is good when we have an opportunity to get our troubles off of our mind.  Asking and talking about a problem does not increase the risk of someone committing suicide but rather, asking the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” This may decrease the risk and communicates that you’re open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way.  

It is OK to talk about and know the answers to important questions that can tell us a lot about the imminence and severity of danger you are in:

• Are you in distress, medication problem, victim, survivor?
• Are you experiencing thoughts of suicide or considering how someone could kill themselves? 
• Have you already done anything to try to kill themselves before?
• Do you have a specific, detailed plan? 
• What’s the timing for this plan? 
• What sort of access to do you have to support that will help you avoid this danger?

Being there for someone with thoughts of suicide is life-saving.  This includes letting others be there for you as well.  You should create a safety plan that includes a list of individuals to contact when a crisis occurs. 

Staying connected is the key to safety.  Increasing your connectedness to others and limiting isolation (both in the short and long-term) is a protective factor against suicide, and is a buffer against hopelessness and psychological pain.  

• A safety net for those moments when you are in a crisis is always available at the National Suicide Safety Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255.
• Additional components of a safety net include connecting with support and resources in in your local community, perhaps a regular mental health professional. 
• You can explore some of these possible support sources with your support group, family, and friends. 

It is good to regularly follow-up with professionals if you still need help.  Also, if you are in a support group, the follow-up step is a great time to check in with them to see if there is more you can help them or if there are things you’ve said you would do and haven’t yet had the chance to get done for or with person.