Suicide Prevention & Assistance

Are you feeling suicidal or having thoughts about harming yourself and/or others? Call 9-1-1 immediately and tell the dispatcher that you are having a mental health emergency or talk to a trusted adult and ask for help.

Resources

Broadlawns’s Medical Center
1801 Hickman Road
Des Moines, IA 50314
515.282.5695

Mercy Behavioral Health
1111 6th Avenue
West Entrance
Des Moines, IA 50314
515.263.5612

Iowa Lutheran Health
700 E University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316
515.263.5612

National Suicide Hotline
1.800.273.TALK (8255)

National Text Line
Text “TALK” TO 741-741

Iowa Crisis Hotline
1.855.800.1239

App: A Friend Asks
(Android and Apple)

Five Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain

  1. Ask: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
    It is not an easy question but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
  2. Keep them safe:
    Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
  3. Be there:
    Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce, rather than increase, suicidal thoughts.
  4. Help them connect:
    Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your phone so it is there when you need it: 1.800.273.TALK (8255). You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
  5. Stay connected:
    Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.