What You Can Do

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Get Help Now

If you or someone you care about is in crisis:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
Free • Confidential
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Crisis Text Service:
Text the word "HEARME" to the number 839863.

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

Ventura County Crisis Team:
1-866-998-2243
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Emergency: Call 911

Suicide Prevention App: My3App.org

Local resources: Call 2-1-1, visit www.211ventura.org or text your zip code to 898211.

Learn to help prevent suicide:

safeTALK Suicide Alertness Classes:
Free, 3-hour training sessions for schools and community members
Click here to learn more.

If someone tells you that they are going to commit suicide, take their words seriously, and get help immediately – even if they tell you to keep it secret. It is better to anger a friend than to lose them forever.

Here are some guidelines for how to act when you suspect someone is planning to commit suicide:

  • Identify. Ask them directly if they are thinking about committing suicide.
  • Intervene. If they are actually attempting suicide in your presence, use any means necessary to safely stop them, and call 911.
  • Connect. Show that you understand that their pain is real.
  • Listen carefully. Just be there and let the person know that you care. Don’t tell them how they should feel or what they should do. Just express your desire to support and help understand what they are feeling.
  • Seek help. Your friend's safety is the number one priority. Talk with them about seeking help, either through a hotline, doctor, school counselor, or clergy.
  • Attend. Do not leave them alone.

Learn more and see suggestions for what to say at Know the Signs.