All talk of suicide and self-destructive behavior should be taken seriously. And every person experiencing distress, depression or a personal crisis deserves care, support and, when appropriate, professional help and treatment. If you or someone you know is depressed or suicidal it is important to get help.

There are many sources of education, information, programs and services tied to suicide prevention and the keys to responding to people who are depressed, in crisis and potentially suicidal. Samaritans provides many of these types of programs and services and is a resource for both people who are in crisis and those who care for, respond to and treat them.

24-hour Confidential Hotline

Samaritans free, completely confidential 24-hour emotional support and crisis response hotline is available on an immediate and ongoing basis for individuals who are dealing with every kind of problem, situation, illness, trauma or loss and need someone to talk to who will listen and take you seriously.

To learn more about our 24-hour emotional support hotline, click here.

Safe Place Suicide Survivor Support Group Program

Samaritans Safe Place program provides those who have lost a loved one to suicide with a supportive environment designed to give them the opportunity to grieve and explore whatever thoughts and feelings they are having in a non-judgmental setting in the company of others who have had the same experience.

For more information on our Safe Place program, click here.

Understanding Suicide Prevention

A basic overview of the topic for caregivers and providers (from family members, friends and colleagues to mental health professionals) from the perspective of an international crisis response organization that has been helping people in crisis and preventing suicide for over 50 years, including warning signs, risk and protective factors, assessing suicide risk and responding to a crisis.

To learn more about how suicide can be prevented, click here.

Information and Resources

Key information that provides caregivers and service providers with additional tools and resources.

  • Using Samaritans Hotline as a Referral—the benefits the hotline provides to callers
  • Using Survivor Support Groups as a Referral—how and when to refer ‘suicide survivors’
  • Selections from I CAN HELP!—guidelines to skills, behaviors and effective practice
  • Preparing Your Workplace to Respond to a Crisis—a prevention planning checklist
  • A Sampling of Statistics—an overview of suicide statistics and trends
  • A NYC Guide to Suicide Prevention—a comprehensive guide that provides important information on a cross-section of suicide prevention and postvention topics, approaches, resources and experts

For more ways Samaritans Resources can help you, click here.