Older Adults & Suicide

Get Help Now

If you or someone you care about is in crisis:

Emergency: Call 911

Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
or Text HEARME to 839863
TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Free • Confidential
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free 24/7 support
crisistextline.org

Ventura County Crisis & Referral
1-866-998-2243
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
www.vcbh.org

Veterans Crisis Line
Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
veteranscrisisline.net

Feeling lonely or isolated?

Call the Senior Support Line:
1-800-235-9980

Resources for older adults:
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging: (805) 477-7300 or www.ventura.org/vcaaa

Peer-run Warm Line
Non-emergency emotional support, 24/7
Call 1-855-845-7415
Web chat: mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline

Additional Resources

Local Resources
Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211
www.211ventura.org 

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DID YOU KNOW?

  • Older men die by suicide at a rate that is more than 7x higher than that of older women.
  • The incidence of suicide is particularly high among older, white males.
  • Older women may also be at risk for suicide, especially if lonely or dealing with chronic pain.

IS SOMEONE YOU KNOW AT RISK?

Risk factors for older adults include:

  • Recent death of a loved one
  • Physical illness, disability, or pain
  • Isolation and loneliness
  • Major life changes, such as retirement
  • Loss of independence
  • Loss of sense of purpose

KNOW THE SIGNS

  • Talking about wanting to die or having no reason to live
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Saying goodbye or giving away possessions
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  • Displaying extreme mood swings