A selection of suicide crisis lines / support organisations, training resources, and books.
Crisis Lines & Support Organisations
Comprehensive list of international helplines, suicide hotlines, and crisis-lines hosted at TherapyRoute.com.
Online Support Services for those who cannot, or prefer not to, use the phone
- Crisis Text Line (USA) offers a free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis. Text 741741 to connect with a live, trained crisis counselor.
- Shout (UK) is a free 24/7 UK crisis text service available for times when people feel they need immediate support. Text SHOUT to 85258 to connect with a trained Crisis Volunteer. Confidential, and free from the following major networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone (these include BT Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, iD Mobile, Sky, Telecom Plus, Lebara and GiffGaff). Further details here.
- Dial House (Leeds, UK) offers support in person, by phone, British Sign Language (BSL), text, and Skype.
- Safeline (UK) offers support to people in their journey through sexual abuse and rape, by email, phone, live chat, and social media.
Samaritans (UK and Ireland)
- 08457 90 90 90 (UK)
- 1850 60 90 90 (Republic of Ireland)
- www.samaritans.org
- jo@samaritans.org
- www.facebook.com/samaritanscharity
SOS Silence of Suicide (UK)
- Supporting children and adults struggling with their emotional health.
- 0300 1020 505 (Mon to Fri: 8pm – midnight. Sat/Sun: 4pm – midnight)
- sossilenceofsuicide.org
- twitter.com/SOS_Initiatives
- www.facebook.com/SOSSilenceOfSuicide
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA)
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- www.facebook.com/800273TALK
Other Resources
- Suicide Prevention Guide for Youth and Young Adults by Julia Tortorice for CEUFast, with valuable information,statistics, and resource links.
Training Resources
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Mental Health First Aid is an educational course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help a person who may be developing a mental health problem. In the same way as we learn physical first aid, mental health first aid teaches you how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health.
Read Marty's experiences of MHFA on our blog or check the following links:
- www.mhfaengland.org (United Kingdom)
- www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org (United States)
- www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca (Canada)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
ASIST is one of several programs developed by LivingWorks Education, a public service corporation focusing on understanding and preventing suicide. The ASIST workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
Read Marty's experiences of ASIST on our blog or check the following links:
- ASIST: www.livingworks.net/programs/asist
- Related programs: www.livingworks.net/programs
Books
Personal Accounts of Illness
Cardinal, Marie. The Words to Say It: An Autobiographical Novel. Cambridge, MA: VanVactor & Goodheart, 1983.
Close, Jessie, and Pete Earley. Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2015.
Duke, Patty, and Gloria Hochman. A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-depressive Illness. New York: Bantam Books, 1992.
Fader, Sarah, ed. Stigma Fighters Anthology. Vol. 1. Booktrope, 2015.
Fader, Sarah, ed. Stigma Fighters Anthology. Vol. 2. Booktrope, 2016.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness. London: Picador, 1996.
Kelly, Rachel. Black Rainbow: How Words Healed Me: My Journey through Depression. Yellow Kite, 2014.
Klein, Michelle. The Monster Inside: The Story of an Ordinary Girl in Extraordinary Circumstances. Createspace, 2011.
Support and Caregiving
Fast, Julie A., and John D. Preston. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger, 2004.
Last, Cynthia G. When Someone You Love Is Bipolar: Help and Support for You and Your Partner. New York: Guilford Press, 2009.
Otto, Michael W. Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Individuals and Families. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Suicide Awareness
Jamison, Kay R. Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide. New York: Knopf, 1999.
Shneidman, Edwin S. The Suicidal Mind. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Interpersonal Techniques
Evans, Gail. Counselling Skills for Dummies: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Better Communicator and Listener. Chichester: John Wiley, 2007.
Rosenberg, Marshall B. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press, 2003.
Food and Health
Hanh, Nhat, and Lilian W. Y. Cheung. Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life. New York: HarperOne, 2011.
Roth, Geneen. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything. London: Simon & Schuster, 2011.
