Resources

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)

SOS Silence of Suicide (UK)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA)

State of Maine (USA)

  • Maine Warmline offers telephone support during challenging times and non-crisis situations. Telephone 1-866-771-9276 or 1-866-771-WARM (24x7, toll free from anywhere in Maine).
  • NAMI Maine listing of State-wide services including Crisis Services, Hot Lines, Insurance, Financial Assistance, Veteran's Resources, Housing Programs, Employment Support, Legal Resources, Advocacy.

Other Resources

 


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:

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:

 


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.