Suicide Prevention Is Goal Of Howell Alliance

HOWELL, NJ — This month, the Friends of the Howell Alliance Facebook group page will feature posts to educate the community about suicide prevention and mental health, along with support resources for residents.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with Sept. 4 to 10 the designated week, Christa Riddle, coordinator of the Howell Alliance said.

The first post is a reminder that 988 is the new suicide prevention and mental health/substance abuse crisis hotline, the Alliance said.

Those experiencing a suicide, mental health or substance use crisis can dial or text 988 to be connected with a trained mental health professional.

The free service is available 24/7 and also features a Veterans Crisis Line and translations services for 250 languages (English-only for texting), the Alliance said.

Calls to 988 will be directed to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK), which will remain operational during and after 988 launches.

Information about suicide prevention, mental illness and related issues is also available from NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Learn more about the 988 hotline here. For an immediate crisis, always dial 911, the Alliance said.

The Howell Alliance will display September Is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month banners at town hall and Howell High School all month to remind community members to seek help to save lives.