Suicide Risks and Prevention Resources and Information

Resources for suicide risks and prevention across the lifespan, information about Lock & Talk, free medication lock boxes and gun locks.
Page updated on October 6, 2023 at 6:40 PM

Get Help: Talk to Someone Now

  • PRS Crisis Link: Text “CONNECT” to 85511 or call 703.527.4077. For TTY, dial 7-1-1.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- Call 988.  For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, use your preferred relay service or dial 711, or, chat with someone 24/7 online through Lifeline Chat
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Veterans Crisis Line- Call 1.800.273.8255, Press 1, or text 838255, or chat confidentiality with someone online 24/7 through Crisis Chat.
  • Emergency Services, Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services: 703.746.3401
  • Red Nacional del Suicidio: 1.888.628.9454
  • The Trevor Project, LGBT Youth: 1.866.488.7386 or TrevorText, a confidential and secure resource that provides live help for LGBTQ youth with a trained specialist, over text messages: Text START to 678-678. Chat with someone online 24/7 through Trevor Chat.
  • Assistance from a Distance: English | Spanish | Arabic | Amharic

Lock & Talk Virginia: Lock Meds. Lock Guns. Talk Safety.

DCHS is offering free locking medication boxes and firearm trigger or cable locks as part of Lock and Talk Northern Virginia. Studies show that when firearms are accessible, individuals are three times more likely to die by suicide, and that most people who complete suicide use firearms (61%) or poisons/medications (19%).

Limiting access to lethal means, talking with those who may want to end their lives and quickly accessing help are essential to prevention and also prevent accidents. The free firearm locks and medication lock boxes include information on safe handling and messaging, and tips to secure firearms and medications. Learn more about safe medication disposal. The best strategy for protecting a person at risk is to remove lethal means from the home until a mental health crisis is resolved. 

Obtain firearm locks and medication lock boxes at the following locations and times, except holidays:

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office, 520 King Street, Room 307, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Gun locks only. 703.746.4044
  • Alexandria Health Department- Please call first as we are moving to a new location at 4850 Mark Center Dr. Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 703.746.3382
  • DCHS- Please call first as we are moving to a new location at 4850 Mark Center Dr. Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. –5 p.m. 703.746.5700
  • Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, 2003 Mill Road, Visitor Center, 24 hours a day. 703.746.4114.
  • Select Alexandria Libraries: Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, Kate WallerBarrett Branch Library, Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library and James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library. Call branch to verify hours or visit alexlibraryva.org/locations. Gun locks only.

 

Mental Health Resources

Know The Signs - Warning Signs of Suicidal Behaviors

Everyone can play a role in preventing suicide by being aware of the warning signs of suicidal behaviors:  

  • Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, trapped, in unbearable pain, or being a burden to others   
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself 
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs 
  • Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless 
  • Sleeping too little or too much 
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated 
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge 
  • Displaying extreme mood swings  

What You Can Do - Helping Someone in Crisis

If you believe someone is at risk of suicide:   

  • Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves (This will not put the idea into their heads, or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.) 
  • Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. 
  • Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional 
  • Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt 
  • If possible, do not leave the person alone 

Helping Your Loved One Who is Suicidal: A Guide for Family and Friends

This guide from SAMHSA will help families who have a loved one who is suicidal or has made a suicide attempt. It will provide information on understanding suicide, warning signs and action steps to take, and how to prevent future attempts and keep your loved one safe. 

Who is at Risk for Suicide?

There is no single cause of suicide. Several factors can increase a person’s risk for attempting or dying by suicide. However, having these risk factors does not always mean that suicide will occur. Risk factors for suicide include:   

  • Previous suicide attempt(s) 
  • History of depression or other mental illness 
  • Alcohol or drug abuse 
  • Family history of suicide or violence 
  • Physical illness 
  • Feeling alone  

Learn more about suicide risk here. 

Mental Health First Aid

MHFA Illustration

DCHS offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for laypersons and paraprofessionals. MHFA is an eight-hour training and certification on skills to help persons who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training demonstrates the initial help given to a person showing signs of mental illness or a mental health crisis. More information about the course is available.  Register for the virtual  November 13 and 14 session or the virtual  December 13 and 14 session. Re-certification is available online, or by taking the full course again. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

YMHFA

 

 

 

 

 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in six youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year in the United States. DCHS offers a training course designed to help laypersons and paraprofessionals learn skills to support adolescents who are experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or crisis.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is open to parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring residents. The course teaches risk factors, warning signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders, the effects of the illnesses, an overview of treatments and a five-step action plan for helping someone with symptoms. Sessions will be posted as they become available.

This is Recovery

 

“This is Recovery” is a 14 minute video featuring men and women across Northern Virginia who share their stories of recovery to help others who are dealing with similar challenges. They enable and inspire all of us to live in hope. This video was funded by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services and produced by members of the Virginia Recovery Initiative Region 2. Learn more about the video and City of Alexandria programs and services related to recovery.

Other Ways to Help Prevent Suicide

Additional Information and Help

  • Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN): A regional coalition of the Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William Community Services Boards (CSBs) and other groups in Northern Virginia, all working together to raise awareness and share resources to prevent suicide