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How to Find Help
You are not alone. If you are thinking about suicide, reach out for help right away.
It's not always obvious when someone is in pain. If you or someone you know may be thinking about suicide, it's time to talk. Call the San Diego County Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240. You are not alone.
If you have lost a friend or loved one to suicide, you may find yourself in need of support. Find resources that are available for when you may need it most.
Call the Access and Crisis Line
at (888) 724-7240
Anytime you need to talk, the Access and Crisis Line is available and staffed by professional counselors, 24/7. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
The People Around You Are
Here for You
Loved ones, friends, community leaders, religious leaders, and coworkers want you to be safe. Reach out and ask for help. Your social circle is there to support.
Ways to Find Help
If you are thinking about suicide, reach out to people you trust, like a family doctor, and get a referral to a mental health practitioner. Or call the Access and Crisis Line (888) 724-7240 for ways to find support.
You Can Get Through This
Finding the reasons for living can take a lot of inner searching. Remember, you are resilient, you are strong, and you can get through this.
Knowing the Warning Signs
Can Make a Difference
Know the warning signs. If you see any of these behaviors, especially if they are new, more frequent, or seem related to a painful life event, call the Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240 immediately.
You Are the Right Person to Help Prevent Suicide
In distress or crisis? Call: Access and Crisis Line (888) 724-7240.
You are the right person
People who are thinking about suicide often feel alone, but talking with them can help. Even if you only know them a little (like a coworker) or a lot (like a close family member), reaching out to support is still the right thing to do.
You can always help,
no matter your relationship.
See why you are the right person.
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Ways You Can Help Prevent Suicide
How To Start a Conversation and Offer Support
Speak Up
It can be hard to know what to say when you’re worried that someone may be considering suicide. The first step is to talk to them about your concerns and let them know that you care. The table below can help guide you through having a helpful discussion with your loved one.
| What Helps | What Hurts |
|---|---|
| I know you have a real illness and that’s what causes these thoughts and feelings. | It’s all in your head. |
| I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help. | We all go through times like this. |
| You are important to me. Your life is important to me. | You have so much to live for– why do you want to die? |
| Tell me what I can do now to help you. | What do you want me to do? I can’t do anything about your situation. |
| You might not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change. | Just snap out of it. Look on the bright side. |
| You are not alone in this. I’m here for you. | You’ll be fine. Stop worrying. |
| Talk to me. I’m listening. | Here’s my advice… |
| I am here for you. We will get through this together. | What’s wrong with you? Shouldn’t you be better by now? |
Reducing Access to Lethal Means Can Save Lives2
Putting time and space between a person thinking about suicide and ways to end their life is one of the most effective ways to prevent suicide. Over 90% of people who attempted suicide and survived do not make another attempt.1 There are two very important ways to prevent suicide: reduce access to medications, and reduce access to firearms.
Reducing Access to Medications
- Dispose of unused or extra pills
- Remove pills from the home
- Contact the person’s health care provider(s) to reduce access to potentially lethal prescriptions
- Monitor dosing of necessary medications
Reducing Access to Firearms
Firearms are the leading and most lethal method of suicide in San Diego County. Reducing access to firearms among people with risk for suicide is one of the most effective ways to prevent loss of life. In fact:
- Access to firearms is a risk factor for suicide3
- Firearms used in youth suicide usually belong to a parent4
- Studies show that if a firearm is removed, even temporarily, the person doesn’t find another means of suicide
Click to reveal tips on how to safely and thoughtfully remove access to firearms.
Secure the Gun Safe Key
If someone in the home is thinking of suicide, remove their access to guns by storing the firearms outside of the home, or try other steps to limit access such as keeping the safe key with friends or family.
Be Understanding
Gun-owners may worry about being able to own a gun again or getting their guns back if they are taken away. Reassure them you are trying to keep them safe, not infringe on their rights.
Be Direct
Having a direct conversation about removing gun access can be hard, but it could help save their life. Below are a few suggestions to open the conversation.
- “I care about you, and I want to help keep you safe. Do you mind if we talk about some things we can do to help make that happen?”
- “I know a few places that will store firearms temporarily. Why don’t we go there and store your guns there until things settle down?”
- “If you don’t want to take the guns out of your home, would you mind if I hold onto the key to the gun safe/lock until things settle down?”
- “How about I hold on to all of the ammo for a while then?”
Consider Other Storage Options
Storing guns outside the home can help prevent a gun-related suicide. Here’s what you need to know before transferring firearms to a gun shop, family member, or friend:
Store at a Gun Shop:
- Only the gun owner or their spouse is legally allowed to turn over a firearm for storage at a gun shop or gun range.
- A background check for each gun is required by the storage facility prior to the firearm being returned to the owner. Fees will apply.
- Many locations around San Diego County can safely store firearms.
Store With a Friend or Family Member:
- In California, as of 2020, guns can be transferred to anyone without the Dealer Transfer Requirement if their owner is experiencing thoughts of suicide. The person taking possession must be 18 or older and not prohibited from having the gun. They must store it in their own home and they must never use the gun.
The Access and Crisis Line Protects Your Privacy
If you have a firearm, you will not be added to a federal database by the Access and Crisis Line counselor. Your privacy and rights will be respected.
Read up on information about suicide prevention as part of Firearm Safety practices.
Read up on information about suicide prevention as part of Firearm Safety practices.
Get Suicide Prevention Training
Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR), is a training to help a person who is considering suicide. In a one-hour training session, participants learn to recognize warning signs, what questions to ask, and how to offer hope and help. Visit Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) to schedule a free QPR training session.
After a Suicide
If you have lost a friend or loved one to suicide, you may find yourself in need of support. The grief following such a death is complicated. You may experience anger, guilt, sorrow, regret, resentment, relief, and more. The impact of a suicide death can have a ripple effect, touching many individuals, known as loss survivors. Many loss survivors have found the following actions to be helpful:
Attending loss survivor support groups
Reading stories from other loss survivors
Talking to people who can help, such as clergy
Becoming active in suicide prevention organizations.
