In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, commemorated annually on September 10, and in support of the mental health and well-being of all of our community members, please find the list of resources below. Aligned with this year’s theme, “Creating Hope Through Action,” the International Association for Suicide Prevention provides 5 steps we can all take to support members of our community who may be struggling.
Emergency Warning Signs
Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves or talking of wanting to die.
Someone looking for ways to kill themselves by seeking access to weapons or other lethal items (this can be online searches or physically looking for something in the moment of despair).
Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide.
Warning Signs
Hopelessness
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Feeling trapped, like there's no way out
Increased alcohol or drug use
Withdrawing from friends, family & society
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
Dramatic mood changes
Do your part – know how to help
- ASK if the person is thinking about suicide.
- LISTEN without judgement. Let the person talk without interruption and make them feel heard.
- RESPOND with kindness and care. Always take the person seriously.
- FOLLOW-UP with the person and support their transition from crisis to recovery.
- Practice good emotional hygiene
- Address emotional pain
- Maintain your self esteem
- Avoid repetitive negative thoughts
- Make time for friends and family
- Make time for yourself
- Nourish your body with healthy food
- Get enough sleep
- Move your body
- Help others
- Manage your stress
- Manage other medical or physical problems
- Ask for help
- Know where to turn for help
- Do you know where to turn for help if you or a friend is having suicidal thoughts? Take some time to familiarize yourself with your own country's, state/province, or local resources.
- Reach out for help
- Reaching out is the most important step to start living mentally well again. Never be afraid to reach out. Here are a couple different ways to get help:
- Talk with a close friend or family member you trust.
- Call a hotline or helpline and talk to a trained helper.
- Schedule an appointment with a professional therapist. Try e-counseling if that sounds more appealing.
- Read others' stories of hope and recovery. Sometimes reading how others have gotten through a difficult time can help you navigate your own tough situation.
- Try a support group (USA search)
- By sharing the Take 5 campaign with 5 other people we can raise awareness of problem of suicide and equip people with easy tools to help themselves and others. Share the campaign on or before World Suicide Prevention Day- September 10. Together we can all make a difference!
References and Resources
UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Resources to Support Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak and Other Crises. https://psychiatry.ucsf.edu/copingresources
UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. UCSF Employee Coping and Resiliency Program. https://psychiatry.ucsf.edu/cope
UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Resilience and Emotional Well-Being Video Series. https://psychiatry.ucsf.edu/copingresources/videos
UCSF Human Resources. https://hr.ucsf.edu
UCSF Human Resources. Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. https://hr.ucsf.edu/service/faculty-and-staff-assistance-program
UCSF Health Care Facilitator Program. https://healthcarefacilitators.ucsf.edu
UCSF Campus Life Services. Wellness and Community. Wellness Resources Hub. https://campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/wellnesscommunity/services/wellness_resources
UCSF Student Academic Affairs. Student Health and Counseling Services. https://studenthealth.ucsf.edu
UCSF Medical Education. Residents and Clinical Fellows. Well-Being and Mental Health Resources for Residents and Clinical Fellows. A Map of UCSF GME Well-being Resources. https://meded.ucsf.edu/sites/meded.ucsf.edu/files/inline-files/Map%20of%20UCSF%20GME%20Well-being%20Resources_0.pdf
UCSF Medical Education. Residents and Clinical Fellows. Well-Being and Mental Health Resources for Residents and Clinical Fellows. https://meded.ucsf.edu/residents-clinical-fellows/well-being-and-mental-health-resources-residents-and-clinical-fellows
International Association for Suicide Prevention. Activities. World Suicide Prevention Day 2021. https://www.iasp.info/wspd2021/
World Health Organization. Health Topics. Suicide Prevention. https://www.who.int/health-topics/suicide#tab=tab_1
World Health Organization. Publications. Overview. Suicide prevention: toolkit for engaging communities. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/suicide-prevention-toolkit-for-engaging-communities
National Suicide Prevention Alliance, UK. https://nspa.org.uk
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
USA - National Resources:
· Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
· Crisis Text Line- TEXT “GO” TO 741-741
· To find state and local resources in the USA, use the SPRC's map locator: http://www.sprc.org/states
· Tips on how to reach out to a friend who may be suicidal.
Other Countries:
· IASP Crisis Centers
San Francisco 24 Hour Hotlines
- San Francisco 24/7 Crisis Line: 415/781-0500
- 24/7 Confidential Support, Text MYLIFE to 741741
- HIV Nightline: 415/434-2437 or 1-800-273-2437
- Drug Information Line: 415/362-3400
- Relapse Line: 415/834-1144
- Peer Workforce Supportive Services (PWSS) Support Line: 415/288-7160
- Suicide Prevention TTY/TDD: 415/227-0245 (Telephone access for the deaf/hearing impaired)
- Trauma Recovery/Rape Treatment Center, Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Tuesday until 7 p.m. 415/437-3000 and /or Rape Treatment Center at San Francisco General Hospital (1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, open 24/7)
California Department of Public Health. Mental Health. Family Health. Mental Health. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OHE/Pages/OfficeHealthEquity.aspx
United Nations. UN News. World Suicide Prevention Day. The Lid is On. PODCAST: For effective suicide prevention, we must ‘break the taboo.’ https://news.un.org/en/tags/world-suicide-prevention-day
International Association for Suicide Prevention. Resources. https://www.iasp.info/wspd2021/resources/
International Association for Suicide Prevention. World Suicide Prevention Day 2021. Take Time To Reach Out. https://www.iasp.info/wp-content/uploads/Take-Time-1.pdf