Health Department's suicide hotline is a life-saver

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week and the DuPage County Health Department would like to remind residents about the importance of suicide prevention and the services that are offered through the Health Department.

Suicide is something that can affect anyone, from celebrities like the recent death of Robin Williams, to a member of your own community, including relatives and friends. Suicide is preventable and with the proper education, everyone can become more aware of the warning signs and how help may be provided to someone struggling with depression.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of more than 150 centers across the country which offers 24-hour confidential suicide prevention assistance to callers who feel like they may be in crisis. The Health Department recognized the need for more suicide prevention and joined the national network of providers in 2012 in order to provide even more crisis assistance to our residents.

The goals of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are easy access to assistance, reaching more people who are at risk and ensuring a high level of quality service to people who are seeking help. All calls through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that are received by the Health Department are answered by clinical staff who are trained in crisis intervention and have the skills to aid callers who are in distress.

In addition to participating in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Health Department offers a separate Crisis Hotline for people experiencing a variety of mental health crises or callers who may be in need of other resources within the county.

If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or are feeling overwhelmed and alone, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-TALK or the Crisis Unit Hotline at 1 (630) 627-1700 and take the first step in working toward wellness.

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