Save a Life—Support Suicide Prevention

SAMHSA is moving to provide urgent funding to suicide prevention centers around the Nation that are dealing with the enormous hardship wrought by the economic downturn. Many of these centers must cope with a sharp rise in the number of callers in crisis (often because of financial problems). At the same time, these centers are threatened with significant cutbacks in funding from state and local governments and other sources of support.

SAMHSA is also supporting National Suicide Prevention Week, September 6–12. Sponsored by the American Association of Suicidology, the purpose of National Suicide Prevention Week is to raise awareness that suicide can be prevented. The first step is learning about the warning signs of suicide. If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or if you are concerned about someone you care about, SAMHSA encourages you to call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and you will be routed to the crisis center closest to you. SAMHSA also has a number of suicide prevention materials, free to order or download, to help you support suicide prevention efforts in your community.

	Suicide Prevention Resource Center
	For more information about suicide and suicide prevention, please visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). SPRC provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals develop suicide prevention programs, interventions, and policies and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.