Suicide Prevention Resources

Suicide Prevention Resources in South Florida

If you are experiencing emotional distress or feelings of hopelessness, or if you are trying to help someone who is, you are not alone. Mental health is complex, but help is available. Together, we can prevent suicide.

National Suicide Prevention Hotlines and Crisis Chat

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-273-8255
Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing
For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.

The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 support via text message:
Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741)

Spanish Language Suicide Prevention

Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio:
En Español 1-888-628-9454
También puede marcar el 1-800-622-4357
En área de Miami puede marcar 305-358-4357

Suicide Prevention for American Veterans

The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans and their family members with confidential counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 24/7.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or Text 838255

Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ Youth

The Trevor Project is dedicated to suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth and provides s 24/7 crisis support line.
LGBTQ Youth Crisis line: Call 866-488-7386

Mental Health Services in Miami-Dade County

Banyan Community Health is dedicated to providing behavioral health services for individuals, children, and families in South Florida, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Our experienced mental health providers offer a range of services, including outpatient psychiatric services, residential programs, and substance abuse treatment.
Learn More About Mental Health Services at Banyan.

Suicide Warning Signs and Symptoms

If someone you know is in emotional distress, let them know that you are there for them and that resources are available to help them.
Warning signs of suicide include:¹

Talking about feelings of hopelessness or a lack of purpose
Talking about wanting to die
Researching or planning ways to die
Stockpiling weapons or medications
Talking about feeling trapped, guilty, or burdensome
Talking about unbearable or ongoing physical or emotional pain
Withdrawing from others
Escalating drug or alcohol use
Feelings of rage or fantasies of revenge
Risk taking behaviors
Extreme mood swings
Giving away important items or talking about what will happen when they are gone

Suicide Facts and Statistics

Despite recent strides in mental health awareness, there is still stigma around suicidal ideation. Thoughts or comments about suicide should always be taken seriously and should not be dismissed as attention-seeking. These types of thoughts are often the result of an untreated mental health issue. People who get the support they need are able to overcome suicidal thoughts.

Suicide Statistics

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America.²
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34.²
Each year, more than 12 million Americans think about suicide.³

Suicide Risk Factors

Suicidal thoughts can affect people of any age, ethnicity, gender, or background. There is not one specific thing that causes a person to be prone to suicidal thoughts, but there are some risk factors:

Depression, especially if it is untreated or undertreated
Chronic physical pain
A family history of suicide
Prior suicide attempts
Living in a home with guns
Substance abuse
Social isolation
Financial instability
An environment of physical or sexual abuse
Exposure to suicidal behavior in others

Suicide Prevention Factors

In addition to crisis response, there are long-term things we can do to prevent suicide. Individual and community factors that can reduce the risk of suicide include:

Easy access to mental health services
Education on healthy coping skills
Supportive relationships with health care providers
Strong connections to friends, family, and community
Limited access to weapons and other lethal mean

We Are Here For You

Banyan Community Health is dedicated to the overall well-being and mental health of our community. Our team is here to answer any questions you have and help connect individuals and families in the Miami-Dade area to essential health services. Contact us or call our 24/7 crisis hotline at 305-774-3400.

¹ National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Suicide Prevention. Available: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/. Accessed May 4, 2021
² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide Prevention. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/index.html. Accessed May 4, 2021
³ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020) Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP20-07-01-001, NSDUH Series H-55). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/external icon

Authored by: banyan_health

Suicide Prevention Resources