Suicide Prevention Resources in Montgomery County

There are over 100 suicides every year in Montgomery County and there are 400-500 hospitalizations because of intentional self-inflicted injuries, many of which were suicide attempts that fortunately did not end in death. Recently there were 3 suicides in the Royersford community. Here are some places to get information about suicide and suicide prevention and sources that can help when someone is suicidal.

Three local online resources that offer a wide range of materials on suicide are MontcoCares (www.montcocares.org), Montgomery County Emergency Service (MCES)(http://www.mces.org/pages/suicide_main.php), and the Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Task Force (https://www.montcopa.org/1439/Suicide-Prevention-Task-Force). The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) also offers a lot of information.

If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide, threatening suicide, or looking for a way to harm themselves you can reach out to any of these numbers 24/7: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-TALK; Montgomery County Crisis Hot Line: 610-279-6102; Access Services Mobile Crisis Support - 855-634-4673.

If you or a family member or friend need immediate help because of possible suicide risk go to the closest hospital emergency department. If there is someone in imminent danger of making a suicide attempt call 9-1-1. Most police officers in the county have had crisis intervention training.

If you have experienced a suicide loss and need bereavement support call Survivors of Suicide, Inc. (SOS) (www.sosphilly.org), which has information about their free support groups and on coping with the aftermath of a suicide on their web site. The Center for Loss and Bereavement (http://bereavementcenter.org/) can also help.

If you want to learn some basic skills on identifying the signs of suicide risk and helping someone who might be suicidal get help check out the information at https://www.montcopa.org/2247/Trainings-and Getting-Involved.

If you have any questions on these resources please call 610-279-6100.