Suicide Prevention

Veer_blp0037800_suicideprev

Did you know?

  • In Ventura County, suicide is the fourth leading cause of premature death
  • Nationally, it is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24
  • The fastest growing age group for suicide is 10 to 14 years (grades 5 to 9)
  • For each completed suicide there are 100 to 200 attempts

Is Suicide Preventable?

Suicide is a tragic reaction to severe distress or feelings of hopelessness in one’s life. Thoughts of suicide do not necessarily mean that you want to die. Instead they mean that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. The pain of deep depression is intense, and can be too much to bear for long periods of time. However, suicidal thoughts do not have to become suicidal actions.

It’s important to know that suicide is preventable. Whether you are considering ending your life, or know someone who feels suicidal, learn to recognize the warning signs and how to get immediate help. You may save a life—your own or someone else's.

If you feel unhappy or upset with some situations in your life for long periods of time, it may seem that suicide is the only way to end the pain. If you are having frequent suicidal thoughts, then NOW is the time to get help. You can take steps to help you stay safe, relieve your pain, and restore your desire to live.

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, get help right now.

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Call a suicide hotline number:

  • In the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach to a trained counselor for free, confidential help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
     
  • In Ventura County, call the Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line at 877-727-4747 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
     
  • For children, call Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families' Crisis Line at 866-431-2478 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

 

Yellowribbon-1

Local Resource: Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® gives young people a new way to ask for help in times of crisis and teaches adults and peers how to respond to a person in need and prevent suicide.  

Teens considering suicide can hand a wallet-sized “Yellow Ribbon” card to a parent, teacher or friend. Sharing the card is a call for help when words don’t come easily. The back of the card provides instructions for the person who receives it to provide immediate support until help arrives. The card is a lifeline for a teens at risk of suicide.

To learn more about the Yellow Ribbon program in Ventura County schools and in our community please visit United Parents at unitedparents.org or call (805) 384-1555 or their 24/7 line at (805) 551-0472.

You may want to find out about