If you are having suicidal or homicidal thoughts that you might act on, then get help immediately.

There are many ways to get help. If you are a client of mine and we have agreed on a safety plan, please follow that plan now. Otherwise, take the following steps:

• Call 911 and tell them you are having suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
• Go to your local emergency room and tell them you are having suicidal or homicidal thoughts. They have people there or on call that can help.
• Call your primary care doctor and tell him or her you are feeling suicidal or homicidal and follow his or her instructions.
• Call a trusted friend or family member and tell him or her you need help now. If you do not have anyone with whom you are close, call the local Sheriff’s Department.

If you cannot bring yourself to do the above, then you can also contact someone anonymously who can provide help and guidance. Some hotlines that can help include the following:

Regional Resources/Crisis Lines

• Southern Illinois Regional Social Services (SIRSS): (618) 457-6703
• Perry County Counseling Center (Du Quoin, IL) (618) 542-4357; (877) 581-7427
• Union County Counseling Service (Anna, IL) (618) 833-8551
• Mt. Vernon Crisis Line (Mt. Vernon, IL) (618) 242-1512
• Cairo Crisis Line (Cairo, IL) (618) 734-2665   
• Egyptian Public & Mental Health Department (Ridgway, IL) http://www.egyptian.org (618) 272-4691 or through the Saline County Sheriff’s office at (618) 252-8661

National Resources/Hotlines

• Girls and Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
• National Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) www.hopeline.com and 1-800-suicide.com and suicidehotlines.com
• The Samaritans www.samaritans.org a 24 hour online emotional and crisis support with anonymous e-mail capability (officially serving individuals in the UK and Ireland)
• Samaritans USA (518) 689-HOPE (689-4673) http://www.timesunion.com/communities/samaritans/
• Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN) USA http://www.spanusa.org/
• The Samaritans of South Central N.H. http://www.samaritansnh.org/ (603) 622-3836
• The Samaritans Inc. of Providence, RI http://www.samaritansri.org/ (401) 272 4044;
  1-800-365-4044
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
  1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Do not be alone.

Do not keep
it a secret.

Tell someone you need help.