September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Arlington County has a bevy of local and national resources on its website for those in need.
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month “helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm,” according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
Resources that adults can use include:
- Arlington County Emergency Mental Health Services: 703-228-5160
- Crisis Link: 703-527-4077 or text “Connect” to 85511
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
- National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE
- LGBTQ Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
- Visit the Kristin Brooks Hope Center to chat online with a crisis intervention specialist
- Call Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, text to 838255, or chat online
For teens, the county suggests Your Life Your Voice, a 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-800-448-3000. The service also includes ways teens can email, chat and text for help.
Arlington Public Schools also distributes flyers in English and Spanish for young people looking to get help or aid their peers.
Online resources include:
- Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families
- The Jason Foundation
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Teen Suicide Prevention for Parents-Mayo Clinic
Finally, if someone is in immediate danger, the county recommends you call 911 or emergency services at 703-228-5160.
Image via APS flyer