ONLINE FORUMS & SUPPORT
People who call suicide hotlines may hang up as soon as their call is answered. Online networks and support groups offer millions of people in crisis an alternative to asking for help out loud.
IMAlive is a virtual crisis center. It offers volunteers who are trained in crisis intervention. These individuals are ready to instant message with anyone who needs immediate support.
A source of emergency numbers, online chats, suicide hotlines, and therapy options, Suicide Stop gives people a variety of support methods.
7 Cups is an online resource that offers free, anonymous, and confidential text chat with trained listeners and online therapists and counselors. With over 28 million conversations to date, it’s the world’s largest emotional support system.
With more than 18,000 subscribers worldwide, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s online support group is a safe, supportive place to share information and experiences.
Befrienders is a global network of 349 emotional support centers around the world. It offers an open space for anyone in distress to be heard. Support is available via telephone, text message, in person, online, and through outreach and local partnerships.
Self-Injury Outreach and Support is an international outreach organization offering a variety of resources for those who self-injure, including guides, stories, and methods for day-to-day coping.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it’s often family and friends who first notice warning signs of suicide in their loved ones. Recognizing these signs can be the first step toward helping an at-risk individual find the support and guidance they need. The following apps, resources, and forums can help.
This online resource helps parents and educators raise awareness about youth suicide and attempted suicide through the development and promotion of educational training programs. The site also offers resources for teenagers who are contemplating suicide.
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit organization that exists to protect the emotional health and prevent suicide of our nation’s teens and young adults. JED equips these individuals with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other, and encourages community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health. The organization also partners with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention programs and systems.
Helping a loved one with mental illness can be challenging, but knowing where to begin is an important first step. The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers family members and caregivers specific guidance on a variety of issues, including how to help prevent suicide.
The Mayo Clinic’s guide on how to support a loved one who’s dealing with depression includes how to identify symptoms and warning signs, seek treatment, and find local resources.
This online resource helps parents decide whether their child’s behavior is just a phase or a sign of something more serious.
Parents and caregivers can find a variety of information and resources relating to mental health issues affecting children and young adults at the Kelty Mental Health Resource Center.
This nonprofit aims to help people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide by connecting them with the appropriate hotlines, resources, and online communities through its blog and social channels. The organization also fundraises to directly invest into treatment and recovery programs.