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Suicide Awareness and Prevention Resources

Suicide Awareness and Prevention Resources

Suicide awareness and prevention are important. Suicidal thinking is serious. It does not always mean a person will take their own life. Suicidal thinking can be a symptom of a deeper unresolved issue. Having a plan for suicide is much more serious than just thinking or talking about it.  

Here are some warning signs (from Mass General Hospital):

  • Talking about wanting to die or killing themselves
  • Feeling hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
  • Feeling like a burden to others
  • Looking for ways to end their lives, such as searching online or buying weapons
  • Withdrawing from loved ones or feeling isolated
  • Increasing use of drugs or alcohol
  • Displaying extreme mood swings
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Acting reckless, agitated, or anxious
  • Feeling hopeless or in despair followed by sudden relief or improvement. This can be a sign that a person has made a suicide plan and feels relieved that they will no longer be in pain if they end their life.

Suicide Prevention Resources

Division of Violence and Injury Prevention Suicide Prevention Program – We seek to raise awareness of suicide as a public health problem. The Program provides support to community agencies, education and training for professionals and caregivers, and funds programs working with youth, veterans and older adults. We use data to identify populations and geographic areas of the state that need assistance. We also support and encourage communities to collaborate across disciplines to prevent suicide and suicide attempts across the lifespan.

Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention – The MCSP’s mission is to prevent suicide through statewide collaboration and advocacy.

Massachusetts Suicide Hotlines

Samaratins Home Page

Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 877 870-4673

  • Boston Area: 877 870-4673
  • Fall River Area: 8am – 11pm / 7 days- 508 999-7267, 508 673-3777
  • Cape Cod & the Islands: 24 hours / 7 days- 508-548-8900, Toll Free – Cape Cod & the Islands 800-893-9900
  • Framingham Area: 24 hours / 7 days, 508-875-4500, 877-870-4673
    Samariteens- 800-252-TEEN, 800-252-8336, 3pm-9pm Teen to Teen 9pm-3pm Adult to Teen
  • Haverhill Area: 24 hours / 7 days 978-521-7777, 1-800-281-3223
  • Holyoke Area: 24 hours / 7 days 413-536-2251
  • Methuen: 24 hours / 7 days 978-688-6607, 978-452-6733, 978-372-7200, 978-465-6100, 888-SOS-TEEN, 888-767-8336
  • Northampton Area: 24 hours / 7 days 413-586-5555, Toll Free Statewide 800-322-0424
  • Norwood Area: 781 769-8674, 800-529-5077
  • Springfield Area: Serving Hampden, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham- 24 hours / 7 days, 413-733-6661
  • Stoneham Area: 617-979-7028
  • Westfield Area: Serving Southern Hampden County, Agawam, Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, Springfield, Southwick, Tolland, 24 hours / 7 days 413 568-6386

Ways to Help and Other Resources

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFS) Massachusetts
AFS focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
Find Support 

Network of Care Massachusetts – Statewide online resource providing a comprehensive, searchable directory to help Massachusetts residents find information on behavioral health services and treatment in their community.

Stop A Suicide Today
Learn the warning signs of suicide and what you can do to help yourself and others.
Learn to ACT

MassGeneral for Children Suicide Prevention: What You Need to Know
Suicidal thinking is serious, but it does not always mean a person will take their own life. Suicidal thinking as a symptom of a deeper unresolved issue. Having an intent and a plan for suicide is much more serious than just thinking about it.

Parental Stress Hotline: 24 Hours, 7 Days. 800-632-8188
All Languages Available

National Runaway Safeline: 24 Hours, 7 Days. 800-786-2929
Each Team Member has been trained to handle a crisis, provide support and listen to your story.

Sharing Kindness – Sharing Kindness programs divide into suicide awareness and prevention and grief support. Our programming area is all the towns on Cape Cod, including Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Poison Control and Prevention Services for Massachusetts: 800-222-1222
Our staff is available at all times to provide quick, accurate, precise poisoning treatment information.

Veterans Crisis Line: 800 273-8255
Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) – MAMH educates the community about mental health and wellness, addresses stigma, advocates for public policies that address social determinants and strengthen communities, and furthers the integration of social services in primary and behavioral health care.

NAMI Navigating a Mental Health Crisis –  It can be frightening when you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis. You may not know what to do. Below are some ideas for navigating a crisis that you or someone you support is experiencing.

Crisis Hotlines and Resources – Crisis hotlines and resources for triggering or traumatic events and news from BrainLine.

Fact Sheet Updated 9/15/2021