After a week that included two high-profile deaths by suicide, NBC 5 wanted to tackle the issue head-on.
Experts say suicidal thoughts or behavior can be reduced with mental health support and treatment.
There are a number of local and national organizations dedicated to preventing suicide and saving lives.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national suicide prevention and intervention telephone service funded by the Federal Government. Callers are redirected to a suicide and crisis center in North Texas where they can receive immediate assistance. It's open 24/7 and it's free, call 1-800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741. En Espanol: Red Nacional de Prevencion del Suicidio 1-888-628-9454.
If you believe someone may be an imminent threat to themselves, call 911. Operators can dispatch police and medical help to the location or route your call to a crisis hotlines.
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If you believe someone may be having suicidal thoughts, a hospital can also provide immediate help to people at-risk of suicide. Doctors can assess if someone is in need of immediate inpatient treatment or recommend outpatient services where they can get help.
If you're having trouble coping, NBC 5 has put together a list of resources to help you find help:
Metrocare Services
Metrocare provides behavioral health, primary care, pharmacy, housing and supportive services, staffed a call center at NBC 5 Monday fielding calls from people with questions about mental or behavioral health. Find out more about their adult and adolescent programs here.
Mental Health America
With locations in Fort Worth and Dallas, MHA can help people locate a wide range of treatment and support. Find help here.
Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers
There are 39 MHMR community centers in Texas that provide community-based services across all 254 Texas counties. MHMR centers help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serious mental illness and substance use disorders. To find a community center near you, click here.
The Texas Department of State Health Services
The Texas DSHS publishes a Suicide Prevention webpage complete with crisis hotlines, local mental health authority centers, resources for Veterans, as well as educational materials for schools. The state also published a video where DSHS employees talk about where Texans can get help in the video “Suicide Prevention Resources in Texas: Where to go if You or a Family Member Needs Help." Click here to visit the DSHS wepage. The suicide prevention video is embedded below.
Crisis Hotlines
The Texas DSHS maintains a list of state-wide crisis hotlines. See a complete list by clicking here.
Suicide Crisis
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), which is toll-free and available 24/7. Also, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website by clicking here.
