Support & Resources
If you are in crisis and thinking about harming yourself or having thoughts of suicide, CALL/TEXT 988 or go to your local emergency department.
Crisis Textline free 24/7 support at your fingertips
Text “Home” to 741741
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions, Support, Local Resources and More.
If you are in crisis and thinking about harming yourself or having thoughts of suicide:
Call or Text 988
People experiencing a mental health crisis have a new way to reach out for help in the U.S. Simply Call or Text 9-8-8. Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people who are suicidal or in any other mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.
If you need to talk to someone:
- Crisis Textline – Text HOME to 741741 available 24/7 and confidential.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is available 24/7. Your call is routed to the Lifeline center closest to your area code and confidential
- Call the Youth Helpline, Your Life Your Voice at 1-800-448-3000, run by Boys Town National Hotline (for everyone).
- Call a trusted friend or family member.
We can think of a million things for you to do in this moment and most importantly it is to live.
Here are a few things to do to free your mind from the thoughts preventing you from wanting to live. We encourage you to try something whether it is new to you or something you have done before:
- Call or text a friend.
- Take a picture of yourself enjoying something old or new and share it with the world. #sethtasticprojectseth or #projectseth
- Put down your phone. Give yourself a chance to take a break from social media.
- Write in a journal.
- Color a picture.
- Work on a puzzle.
- Take a walk.
- Make pancakes in funny shapes.
- Make a sandwich.
- Wash your car.
- Wash your cat. Yikes!
- Doodle. Draw something using a word that inspires you.
- Sing. At the top of your lungs.
- Clean your room. One drawer at a time.
- Do the dishes.
- Watch a funny movie, a classic, or a horror movie.
- Bake cookies.
- Visit your neighbor.
- Mow the yard.
- Paint on a wall.
- Write a poem.
- Walk your dog.
- Visit a friend at work.
- Do a cartwheel.
- Get a tattoo.
- Do your homework.
- Create a playlist.
- Create a TikTok.
- Play a video game.
- Call your dad.
- Imagine you’re a super hero.
- Paint your face.
- Match your socks.
- Eat an entire pizza.
- Go feed some ducks.
- Make a craft.
- Paint your nails. Use some glitter!
- Do a headstand.
- Jump rope.
- Grab a skateboard and skate.
- Go hit golf balls.
- Go fishing.
- Ride your bike.
- Make your bed with a cozy blanket.
- Visit your grandparents.
- Count your change jar.
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter.
- Have a hot fudge sundae. Add the cherry and whip cream!
- Go swimming.
- Have hope.
- Draw on your shirt.
- Make silly faces in the mirror.
- Listen to your favorite song really loud.
- Pitch a tent. In your room!
- Write a poem.
- Make a rubber band ball.
- Build a sandcastle.
- Draw chalk graffiti on the sidewalk.
- Give yourself a funny hairstyle.
- Take 100 selfies.
- Read a book.
- Call your mom.
- Submit a Scavenger Hunt idea to Project Seth.
- Make yourself laugh.
- Meditate.
- Use the Calm app.
- Dust.
- Hop on one foot.
- Clean your car.
We are thankful you care about your friend and are being proactive to get them help. It can be scary when a friend or loved one is thinking about suicide. Maybe you’ve seen a change in personality and a few of the signs are present: they appear to be feeling helpless, they lost interest in doing things with you and your friends, they have no confidence in themselves or their abilities. People experiencing depression or having a crisis sometimes perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control.
From A Suicide Attempt Survivor: The very second a person starts to carry out their plan they may ask themselves, ” What am I doing? I want to live!”
Don’t be afraid to ask someone you think is depressed and may be struggling emotionally if they’ve thought of plan. If they tell you “yes” they are probably ready to get help, but they are also close to carrying out their plan. Remind your friend you are there for them and want to help them get better.
How to Help
- If they are in CRISIS CALL 911 and stay with them.
- Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide. As hard as it may be to say the words, ask them if they are having thoughts of suicide.
- Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
- Be willing to listen non-judgmentally. Allow expressions of feelings and accept the feelings.
- Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong or whether feelings are good or bad.
- Don’t lecture on the value of life.
- Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support. Remind them how much you look forward to making many more memories with them. Offer to go on outings or offer to make and go with them to counseling appointments.
- Don’t dare him or her to do it.
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
- Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
- Take action. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.
- Again, if they are in crisis CALL 911.
Seeking professional help and following a treatment plan will help them work through their emotions and get them feeling better sooner. There are local and national resources to assist in times of need. Check out SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for Local Treatment Centers and enter your zip code or go to American Psychological Association to get a full list of counselors and therapists in your community.
Again, we encourage you and your friend to call The Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). The Lifeline is available 24/7. Your call is routed to the Lifeline center closest to your area code.
You can also Text HOME to 741741; people are there too for you and your friends.
Warning Signs
- Talking about suicide and having a preoccupation with death – may be subtle, may be direct, may be drawn or written.
- Making statements about hopelessness or helplessness – don’t see life changing for the better. There is no way out.
- Loss of interest – withdraw from friends and family, stop doing things they once enjoyed.
- Giving one’s things away or throwing away important belongings.
- Setting business in order – cleaning.
- Suddenly happy, calmer.
- Disturbance in eating or sleeping – lack of sleep, eating is not important, frequently complain about physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, etc.
- Previous suicide attempts.
Feelings or Thoughts some have experienced feeling
- Can’t Stop the Pain
- Can’t Think Clearly
- Can’t Make Decisions
- Can’t See Any Way Out and Feel Hopeless
- Can’t sleep, eat or work
- Can’t Make the Sadness Go Away
- Can’t see a future without pain
- Can’t see themselves as worthwhile
- Can’t get out of depression
- Can’t get someone’s attention
- Can’t seem to get control
Community Counseling Training Center NIU
A part of Northern Illinois University, this center offers FREE counseling services to the public, NIU students, faculty, and staff; as well as to the local DeKalb community. They provide general evaluations, assist with relaxation techniques, teach self-esteem building skills and communication and relational skills, and offer individual and relationship counseling.
Graham Hall 416
290 North Annie Glidden Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
www.cedu.niu.edu/cctc/index.shtml
Dekalb County Youth Services Bureau
330 Grove Street
Dekalb, IL 60115
The DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau (YSB) assists youth as they build healthy lives and relationship with their family, friends, and community.
Family Service Agency
Offers Local Counseling Services
14 Health Services Drive
Dekalb, Illinois 60115
Suicide Prevention Services
Offers local counseling services specializing in suicide and depression and a lifeline to call 24/7
528 South Batavia Avenue
Batavia, Illinois 60510
WLBK Radio of Dekalb – Suicide Prevention Show
WLBK Radio of DeKalb (AM 1360 and FM 98.9) airs a Suicide Prevention show each Sunday morning at 9:30 AM CT. We encourage you to listen in on Terry Ryan and his guests as they open up the airwaves to the topic of suicide. Terry doesn’t shy away from suicide and realizes what it takes to end the stigma. We commend WLBK for having the show in their line-up and we’re grateful to Terry for hosting the show!
Together we will stand strong to save a life.
Depression Hotline
America’s Promise
America’s Promise Alliance is devoted to helping to create the conditions for success for all young people, including the millions currently being left behind.
American Psychological Association
Get a full list of counselors and therapists in your community.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
All things related to anxiety and depression; types and symptoms, how to find help including suggested mobile apps, breakdown by age and gender, and where to get help in your area.
Case Foundation
We create programs and invest in people and organizations that harness the best impulses of entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and collaboration to drive exponential impact. Our partners are changemakers with ideas that have transformative potential and can lead us to uncover new, more impactful ways of addressing chronic social challenges.
Campaign to changedirection.org
The Campaign to Change Direction is a coalition of concerned citizens, nonprofit leaders, and leaders from the private sector who have come together to change the culture in America about mental health, mental illness, and wellness.
Give An Hour
The organization’s mission is to harness the expertise and generosity of volunteer mental health professionals capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society
Google
Searching your “zip code and local mental health help” will also bring a list of counseling centers and therapists in your area.
Half of Us
Encourages outreach and overcoming depression and anxiety via the music industry, MTV, and the Jed Foundation.
Helpguide.org
Non-profit offers any health related topic including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), anxiety, suicide, and depression.
National Crisis Line or Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Nationally, there is the National Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org).
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Offers support on both a national and local level.
thenationalcouncil.org
The voice of behavioral health providers. With our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation’s most vulnerable citizens — the more than 8 million living with mental illnesses and addictions.
National Institute of Mental Health – Suicide Prevention
National Institute of Mental Health – Anxiety disorders
National Institute of Mental Health – Depression
Reach Out or Reach out – We Can Help Us
ReachOut USA (DBA of Inspire USA Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that meets youth where they are to deliver peer support and mental health information in a safe and supportive online space.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Check out SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for Local Treatment Centers and enter your zip code.
SAVE
SAVE focuses its efforts and resources on six main program areas: Public Awareness, Education, Training and Consulting, Grief Support, Products & Resources, and Research and Innovation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
A comprehensive website offering a plethora of educational and treatment resources.
Veterans Crisis Line
Offers assistance specific to our veterans and their families.
Young Veterans
Many young adults joining the armed forces return to the civilian world with issues that need to be addressed. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being one of them. Seth has several friends that have dedicated their lives to the military and protecting our freedom, we feel it is important for them to have an avenue to reach out if needed.