IF YOU ARE IN A CRISIS SITUATION - OR JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO - YOU HAVE PROFESSIONALS WAITING FOR YOUR CALL...AT NO CHARGE...AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK

NATIONAL HOTLINES:

Police: 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Hotline - When you Need Someone To Talk To
Covenant House Nineline: 800-999-9999

National Hotline - Crisis Prevention for Gay Youth
Trevor Helpline: 800-850-8078

CHICAGOLAND HOTLINES:

Emergency Medical Care, North Suburban Chicago
Evanston/Northwestern Healthcare Crisis Team: 847-570-2500 x 1

Family Crisis and Substance Abuse, North Suburban Chicago
Omni Youth Services: 847-541-0199

Sexual Abuse, North Suburban Chicago
La Casa Hotline: 847-872-7799

UIC, "In Touch Crisis Hotline."
312-996-5535 — open 6 to 9:30 each evening, 7 days.

Kane County Crisis Line — 24/7
847-697-2380 (will receive calls from anywhere)

Du Page County Crisis Intervention.
(630) 627-1700 24-hour for emergency and non-emergency psychiatric services for adults, children and adolescents. (will receive calls from anywhere)

WHAT DO I SAY TO THE PEOPLE ON HOT-LINES?

If you're not sure what to say to one of these lines, here are some reasonable opening lines that can get the ball rolling:

Hello — I am really worried and anxious and I need to talk to someone about my future.

Hi — I am feeling very anxious right now and don't seem to know how to help myself very well. I have felt like this for many days. Can I talk to somebody about this?

Hi — I don't really know how to start talking about this. I just feel really bad right now and I am very afraid about my future and about my life in general. Is there somebody I can talk to about this?

Hello — I am very discouraged about my life overall right now and I feel like I need some help in seeing my situation more realistically. From where I am sitting, my plight looks hopeless. I don't know what to do and I feel like somehow time is running out on me.

Hi — I feel like things are going to turn on me and I need some help in figuring out what I can do to feel better and to feel more prepared for what life is likely to bring along to me.

Hello. I want to try to sum up how I am feeling. I feel painted into a corner. I feel like I have no choices and that I am in danger of things getting worse for me.

Get into the ACT^®!

Some Secrets Should be Shared...
High school can be complicated and demanding. Maybe you're not quite sure of who you are, what you want to be, or if the choices you make are really the best decisions. Sometimes, the many changes and pressures you're facing may overwhelm you. So, it's not surprising if from time to time you, or one of your friends, feels "down" or discouraged. But what about those times when a friend's activity and outlook on life stay "down" for weeks and begin to affect their relationships? Should you keep it a secret? If you know someone like this, it"s time to ACT. Your friend might be suffering from depression, and as a friend, you can help!

Talk to Your Child: Suicide Warning Signs

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 10-19-year-olds in the United States? A far greater number of youths attempt suicide each year. These are shocking statistics, but we also know that most youth who die by suicide suffer from a mental or substance use disorder or both. It is important to look for signs of substance abuse or depression and get professional help for your child if he needs it.
Besides substance abuse and mental illness, other risk factors include:

Suicide can occur in clusters, sometimes as a ripple effect of the suicide of a friend or a celebrity that receives widespread media coverage. Be aware of the following "suicide signals" from your child:

What To Do

Ask your child if he is depressed or thinking about suicide. Rather than putting dangerous thoughts into his head, asking shows him that you care and that he is not alone. Don’t leave him alone. If you think your child has a mental illness or a substance abuse problem, get him the help that he needs even if he resists. Most important, take seriously any suicide attempt. If your child or someone else you know is thinking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to find a crisis center in your area.