Suicide Prevention and Awareness

If you, or someone you know, is in need of IMMEDIATE help:

Call 9-8-8 or seek the nearest Emergency Room (9-8-8 is the nationwide, easy-to-remember 3-digit code for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors that was established by the FCC in 2020.)
Call the Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support Service: 1-855-634-HOPE (4673)
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
(Click here to visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
(Click here to visit the Crisis Text Line website.)
Call The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
(Click here to visit The Trevor Project website.)

Suicide is a serious and increasing public health problem in the United States. For example, in 2018, more than 48,000 people died by suicide, resulting in about one death every 11 minutes. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 10-34 years, only exceeded by unintentional injury.

Youth who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly; however parents, guardians, school personnel and peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep the youth safe. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, please tell a school administrator, counselor, teacher, school psychologist, school nurse, parent/guardian or trusted adult.

DO NOT keep this a secret. Ask for help!

Check-out the information below about Gatekeepers, Youth Warning Signs, how you can help, 24/7 crisis support services and more resources!

What are Gatekeepers?

Gatekeepers are anyone who has a meaningful and important role in the lives of a young person. They may include relatives, neighbors, teachers, or other school personnel, coaches, youth pastors, etc.

Gatekeepers generally have pretty good knowledge of and first-hand experience with the young people in their lives, either from regular in-person contact or other forms of interaction with them on a regular basis such that they would recognize if something might be wrong or have changed for that person.

If you are concerned about someone, ask yourself the following questions. Have they shown or shared any of the following?

Talk about wanting to die, be dead, or about suicide, or are they cutting or burning themselves?
Feeling like things may never get better, seeming like they are in terrible emotional pain (like something is wrong deep inside but they can’t make it go away), or they are struggling to deal with a big loss in their life?
Or is your gut telling you to be worried because they have withdrawn from everyone and everything, have become more anxious or on edge, seem unusually angry, or just don’t seem normal to you?

Youth Suicide Warning Signs

Warning signs are visible signs that a friend or loved one may show indicating that they may be in crisis and thinking about suicide. Suicide can be prevented. While some suicides occur without warning, 50-75% of people do give some warning of their intentions.

Prevent the suicide of loved ones by learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of someone at risk, taking those signs seriously and knowing how to respond to them.

Suicide Warning Signs for Youth*:

Talking about or making plans for suicide
Expressing hopelessness about the future
Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress
Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, particularly in the presence of the warning signs above.

Specifically, this includes significant:
- Withdrawal from or changing in social connections/situations
- Changes in sleep (increased or decrease)
- Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context
- Recent increased agitation or irritability

If you notice any of these warning signs in anyone, you can help. Do not be afraid to ask a student if they are okay. It shows you care!

*For more information, click here to go to the Youth Suicide Warning Signs website. https://www.youthsuicidewarningsigns.org/

How You Can Help

1. Ask if they are okay or if they are having thoughts of suicide.

2. Express your concern about what you are observing in their behavior.

3. Listen attentively and non-judgmentally.

4. Reflect on what they share and let them know they have been heard.

5. Tell them they are not alone.

6. Let them know there are treatments available that can help.

7. If you or they are concerned, guide them to professional help.

Professional Help (including 24/7 Crisis Support Services)

Behavioral Health Provider Resources

If you need IMMEDIATE HELP, call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8 (for suicide prevention) or seek the nearest Emergency Room.

The website addresses given below are also hyperlinks. Please click on the website name to go to the respective website.

Hotlines and Support Lines

Safe2Say Something
24/7 Anonymous Tip Line to report individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others.
1-844-SAFE2SAY (1-844-723-2729)
Submit a tip online: https://www.p3campus.com/tipform.aspx?ID=3085&C=e780ab
Download the app: https://www.safe2saypa.org/download/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
24/7 Hotline Informational Resource
9-8-8 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support Service (ACCESS Services)
Risk Assessments and Referrals offered 24 hours/7 days per week at no cost.
500 Office Center Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034
24/7 Toll Free: 1-855-634-HOPE (4673)
https://www.accessservices.org/services/mobilecrisis-support/
Crisis Text Line
24/7 Text
Text HOME to 741741
http://www.crisistextline.org/
The Trevor Project
24/7 Phone, Chat, Text Support
TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386
TrevorText: Text START to 678-678
Trevor Chat: Online Instant Messaging at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/
Teen Talk Line and the Peer Support Talk Line (Adolescents) (ACCESS Services)
Hotline Informational Resource, 7 days per week (1 p.m.-9 p.m.)
Call: 866-825-5856
Text: 215-703-8411
Email: teentalkline@accessservices.org
https://www.accessservices.org/services/peer-teen-line/
Peer Support Talk Line (Adults) (ACCESS Services)
Hotline Informational Resource, 7 days per week (1 p.m.-9 p.m.)
Call: 1-855-715-TALK (8255)
Text: 267-225-7785
Email: teentalkline@accessservices.org
https://www.accessservices.org/services/peer-teen-line/
Trans Lifeline Peer Support
Available 10 a.m. -4 a.m. Volunteers may be available during off hours
Toll Free: 877-565-8860
https://www.translifeline.org

Hospitals and Emergency Rooms

Suburban Community Hospital
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Stabilization, and Referrals
2701 DeKalb Street Norristown, PA 19401
610-278-2000
Emergency Room: 610-278-2304
https://www.suburbanhosp.org
Einstein Medical Center - Montgomery
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Stabilization, and Referrals
599 West Germantown Pike
East Norriton, PA 19403
1-800-346-7834 or 484-622-1000
Emergency Room: 484-622-0611
https://www.einstein.edu/einstein-medical-center-montgomery
Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Stabilization, and Referrals
1200 Old York Rd.
Abington, PA 19001
215-481-2000
Psychiatry Department Crisis: 215-481-2525
Emergency Room: 215-481-2450
https://www.abingtonhealth.org
Abington Lansdale Hospital - Jefferson Health
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Stabilization, and Referrals
100 Medical Campus Drive
Lansdale, PA 19466
215-368-2100
Emergency Room: 215-361-4440
https://www.abingtonhealth.org/our-locations/abington-lansdale-hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Stabilization, and Referrals
130 South Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-526-3000
Emergency Room: 484-337-3770
https://www.mainlinehealth.org/locations/bryn-mawr-hospital
Chestnut Hill Hospital
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Stabilization, and Referrals
8835 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-248-8200
Emergency Room: 215-248-8568
https://chestnuthill.towerhealth.org

Psychiatric Hospitals

The Horsham Clinic
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Referrals, In-patient Treatment, and Partial Hospitalization Programs
722 East Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002
215-643-7800
Toll Free: 1-800-237-4447
24/7 Assessment & Referral: 215-540-1611
https://horshamclinic.org
Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Referrals, In-patient Treatment
7170 Lafayette Avenue
Fort Washington, PA 19034
215-641-5300
Toll Free: 1-800-256-5300
24/7 Assessment & Referral: 215-641-5404
https://brookeglenhospital.com
Fairmount Behavioral Health System
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Referrals, In-patient Treatment, and Partial Hospitalization Programs
561 Fairthorne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128
216-487-4000
24/7 Assessment & Referral: 215-487-4100
https://fairmouthbhs.com
Foundations Behavioral Health
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Referrals, In-patient Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Programs, and Residential Treatment Programs
833 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-345-0444
Toll Free: 1-800-445-4722
24/7 Assessment & Referral: 215-345-4722
https://fbh.com

The Student Assistance Program

Carson Valley Children's Aid
Colonial School District's Student Assistance Program (SAP) Provider
Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator: Maria Markakis
Norristown Neighborhood Center (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)
1314 DeKalb Street
Norristown, PA 19401
215-233-1960 ext. 305
Fax: 610-272-5477
Email: mmarkakis@cvac-pa.org
https://www.cvca-pa.org

Outpatient Behavioral Health

Springfield Psychologial
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Counseling Services, Psychiatric Services
920 West Chester Pike
Havertown, PA 19083
610-554-2110 ext. 120
Fax: (610) 446-3169
https://springpsych.com
Central Behavioral Health
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Psychiatric Services, Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS), Family Based Services (FBS), Case Management Services
*Accepts Pennsylvania Medical Assistance wand families with no health insurance
1201 DeKalb Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-279-9270
Fax: (610) 279-4146
https://www.centralbh.org
Child and Family Focus, Inc.
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Psychiatric Services, Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS), Family Based Services (FBS), Case Management Services
*Accepts Pennsylvania Medical Assistance
2935 Byberry Rd., Suite 108
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-957-9771
https://www.childandfamilyfocus.org
J. Synder Therapeutic Services
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Counseling Services, Psychiatric Services
VEVA Building 12
1777 Sentry Park West, Suite 300
Blue Bell, PA 19422
215-767-7096
Fax: 215-362-4729
https://jsyndertherapy.com
Philmont Guidance Center, P.C.
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Counseling Services, Psychiatric Services
*Accepts Pennsylvania Medical Assistance
717 Bethlehem Pike, Suite 300
Erdenheim, PA 19038
215-233-2425
Fax: 215-233-2435
https://philmontguidance.com
Conshohocken Counseling Services
Assessments and Counseling Services
20 West 6th Avenue
Forest Street Entrance
Conshohocken, PA 19428
484-362-9121
Email: inquiries@conshohockencounseling.com
https://conshohockencounseling.com
CM Counsel
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Counseling Services, Psychiatric Services
525 Plymouth Road, Suite 308
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610-825-9400
Fax: 610-825-7130
https://cmcounsel.com
Childhood Solutions, PC
Risk/Level of Care Assessments, Evaluations, Counseling Services
455 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 250
Fort Washington, PA 19034
215-653-0363
Fax: 215-653-0361
https://childhoodsolutions.com

Childhood Solutions Satellite Office:
1256 Round Hill Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Ethos Treatment, LLC
Assessments, Evaluations, Counseling Services, and Psychiatric Services (various locations)
3031-A Walton Road
Suite 300
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
267-669-0300
Fax: 267-604-0202
info@ethostreatment.com

Other Community-based Support Services

Family Services
The Family Services of Montgomery County offers a number of free programs that may be helpful to parents/guardians and their families who are struggling to adjust to the current COVID-19 situation. Their Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) — with a new session starting on May 7 — provides parents and caregivers with useful strategies and simple tips that assist them in managing common behavior problems and building strong healthy relationships.
Click here to visit the Family Services of Montgomery County website.
Domestic Abuse: Laurel House
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment where many domestic violence victims have been forced to shelter-in-place with the person abusing them. Laurel House offers services that are essential to the safety of victims currently with their abuser and those healing from an abusive relationship, including:
- 24/7 Toll-Free Hotline (1-800-642-3150) available for anyone wishing to talk about their relationship and for those who are worried about a friend or loved one
- Crisis Advocates (DART team) who can help individuals file a Protection From Abuse order
- Virtual and phone appointments with counselors
- Emergency Shelter for those needing to flee from homes with abuse
- Online learning programs for classroom lessons on healthy relationships, signs of abuse, how to help a friend, etc.

All of Laurel House services are free and confidential. Teens aged 14 and older can utilize services without parental consent.
Click here to visit the Laurel House website.

This list of service providers identifies several community-based resources. Families may choose to select a service provider from this list or contact their Primary Care Provider and/or health insurance company for the names of additional resources.

Additional Suicide Prevention and Awareness Links

Suicide Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018:

Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the US, claiming the lives of more than 48,000 people.
Suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the 4th leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54.
There were more than two and a half times as many suicides (48,344) in the United States as there were homicides (18,830).

Males take their own lives at nearly four times the rate of females and represent 77.9% of all suicides (CDC, 2013, 2011) and females are more likely than males to have suicidal thoughts (SAMHSA, 2013).

Based on the 2019 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (Ivey-Stephenson et al., 2020):

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among high school-aged youths 14-18 years, after unintentional injuries.
18.8% of students reported having seriously considered suicide, with prevalence estimates highest among females (24.1%); white non-Hispanic students (19.1%); students who reported having sex with persons of the same sex or with both sexes (54.2%); and students who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (46.8%).
Among all students, 8.9% reported having attempted suicide, with prevalence estimates highest among females (11.0%); black non-Hispanic students (11.8%); students who reported having sex with persons of the same sex or with both sexes (30.3%); and students who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (23.4%).

*No complete or exact count is kept of attempts because of those that go unreported or untreated (Erbacher, 2016)

Don't be afraid to use the correct vocabulary. It does not put an idea in someone's head. Take all threats seriously. If you have an imminent concern, never leave the person alone.