Home
 / 
Preventing Suicide

Preventing Suicide

18 Out of 100 People

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders such as PTSD, panic attacks, phobias, and general anxiety disorder affect 18% of people in the U.S. each year, making them the most common mental health problems.

Anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder when overwhelming fear and worry prevent you from being able to live a normal life. Anxiety disorders can affect anyone and may begin at any age.

People with anxiety disorders are unable to control their own disturbing thoughts. They may start to avoid everyday situations that they fear will trigger more stress.

Anyone in Ventura County who has a question about mental health should seek help immediately, the same way you would ask for help when we have any other health question. If ignored and untreated, extreme anxiety can prevent you from being able to participate in daily life.

It's OK...to feel upset or stressed or overwhelmed or sad

But if you feel that way all the time or you want to harm yourself, it’s time to talk to someone about it.

Free Suicide Prevention Training

Learn more and sign up

Preventing Suicide: Pathways to Hope and Healing 2023 Forum

A Tale of Two Journeys

Keynote Speaker Gabe Teran, a lifelong resident of Ventura County, shares his own journey of loss and grief after the death of a family member by suicide – followed by another journey, one of hope and healing. Through sharing these two journeys, he hopes that others can find strength in navigating their own.

Worrying, Anxiety and When It’s Too Much

Everyone experiences worry in some way during daily life. You may feel understandably anxious as a reaction to ordinary urgent situations, for example, if you are running late for work. However, you may also feel anxious when you are worrying about something that may or may not happen, a threat that only exists in your imagination.

Is anyone in immediate danger?

Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer.

Are you feeling suicidal or in despair?

Talk with someone local now:
VCBH Crisis & Referral Line
1-866-998-2243 • www.VCBH.org
Free • Confidential • 24/7

Or call the national support line:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text, or TTY: 988
Web Chat: www.988lifeline.org
Free • Confidential • 24/7

‍

See 988 FAQs >
See Crisis Line Comparison Chart >
Want to connect via Whatsapp?

Crisis Text Line
Connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor

‍Chat via WhatsApp

‍or text HOME to 741741
crisistextline.org‍

‍Free • 24/7

For Veterans

Veterans Crisis Line‍

‍Call 988 and press 1‍

‍veteranscrisisline.net
Free • Confidential • 24/7

‍

‍More resources for Military and Veterans >

For Teens & Young Adults

Teen Line

‍Teen-to-teen education and support

Text TEEN to 839863 between 6:00pm–9:00pm PST

Or call 800‑TLC‑TEEN from 6pm to 10pm PST teenline.org

‍

‍More resources for Teens & Young Adults >

For LGBTQ+ Young People

The Trevor Project Lifeline
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
Call 1-866-488-7386
text START to 678-678
or web chat: thetrevorproject.org
Free • 24/7 • Confidential

‍

More resources for LGBTQ+ Teens >

En Español

More Support & Resources

For Everyone

For emotional support when it's not a crisis:
Mental Health Warm Line 24/7
1-855-845-7415
Web chat: mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline

‍

For help with addiction:
Substance Use Treatment Services
1-844-385-9200
Free • Confidential • 24/7

‍

See more local resources >

For Teens

California Youth Crisis Line

‍Help with issues including medical care, dating violence, sexual assault, runaway resources and homelessness, available 24/7

‍1-800-843-5200‍

‍calyouth.org/cycl

‍

‍More resources for teens >

For Older Adults

Senior Support Line
Feeling lonely or isolated?

Call 1-800-235-9980

‍

‍More resources for older adults >

For LGBTQ+

Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer.

Diversity Collective

‍Support for LGBTQ+

Countywide • all ages

‍diversitycollectivevc.org‍

‍805-644-5428‍

‍info@diversitycollective.org

‍

‍More LGBTQ+ resources >

For First Responders

Law enforcement COPLINE‍

‍1-800-267-5463‍

‍www.copline.org‍

‍

‍NVFC First Responder Helpline

‍Fire, EMS, and other rescue workers

‍1-888-731-3473

‍‍www.nvfc.org/help

VCBH Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention

See resources for older adults >

See resources for teens and young adults >

Suicide Can Be Prevented

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. However, suicidal thoughts do not have to become suicidal actions.

It's important to know that suicide can be 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.

Did you know?

  • 100 people died by suicide in Ventura County in 2022.
  • There has been a significant rise in suicide for middle-aged men.
  • Nationally, it is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24.

Together We Can Make a Difference

SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL
VENTURA COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Vision: Ventura County Suicide Prevention Council is comprised of countywide stakeholders who are dedicated to reducing suicides by offering help and hope to people of every culture, gender and socioeconomic group throughout their lifespans.

Mission: Our purpose is to promote help and hope to everyone at risk or affected by suicide. We engage in collaborative dialogue to raise public awareness, identify resources and provide education, and we strive to support innovative suicide prevention and intervention initiatives.

Contact MHSA@ventura.org for more information.

Go to Suicide Prevention Council page >

If you are interested in joining the Suicide Prevention Council, please email MHSA@ventura.org

Related Resources

Ventura County Crisis & Referral

24/7 • Free • Confidential

Ventura County Crisis & Referral:
‍1-866-998-2243

‍

‍Substance Use Treatment Services: 1-844-385-9200

https://vchca.org/behavioral-health/

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free • Confidential • 24/7

Call or text 988
TTY: 988

https://988lifeline.org/

Emergency

Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer

safeTALK Suicide Alertness Classes

Free, 3-hour training sessions for schools

‍Click here to learn more.

Know the Signs

Learn the warning signs – Find the words – Reach out

https://www.suicideispreventable.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention resources

1-888-333-AFSP (2377)

https://afsp.org/
More Resources
Promoting Mental Health
in Ventura County

For a crisis, call 911 or the VCBH Crisis Team at (866) 998-2243. Please note that information on WellnessEveryday.org should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult a
healthcare professional before acting on any information found on WellnessEveryday.org.

Ventura County Behavioral Health treatment clinics and programs are licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services. Learn more at www.VCBH.org.
©2024 Ventura County Behavioral Health | LEGAL