Support & Resources

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:

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

1-815-573-9312

www.cedu.niu.edu/cctc/index.shtml

Dekalb County Youth Services Bureau

330 Grove Street

Dekalb, IL 60115

815-748-2010

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

1-815-758-8616

www.fsadekalbcounty.org

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

www.spsamerica.org

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.

www.wlbkradio.com

Depression Hotline

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)