• Crisis Textline: In Crisis? Text BAY to 741741 - Free, 24/7, Confidential
• 24/7 Crisis Hotline (Starvista): 650-579-0350
• Military Service Members and Veterans Line: 1-800-273-8255 - Press 1
  • Send a text message to 838255 for confidential support.
• Veterans' Services
• Mental Health Hotline for LGBTQ Teens: 800-246-PRIDE (7743)

Suicide is a preventable tragedy that crosses age, gender and geography. While people who die by suicide generally think they are only hurting themselves, they leave behind grief and loss that affects more people than they realize.

• Every day, approximately 80 Americans take their own life and 1,500 more attempt to do so.
• Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years in the U.S., with approximately 25,000 suicides.
• There are four male suicides for every female suicide, but twice as many females as males attempt suicide.
• Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.

In particular, youth, the elderly and those suffering from depression, alcoholism or other mental/physical illnesses can be at greater risk for attempting suicide, especially if they have access to such means as firearms in the home. Studies indicate that the best way to prevent suicide is through the early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.

For more information on suicide risk factors, warning signs and resources, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website.

(Excerpts/content taken from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's website page on Facts & Figures.)

Below is a directory of local resources for persons in crisis that can be downloaded and printed or picked up from the police station lobby literature rack.

• San Mateo County Health System
• California Statewide Suicide Prevention Campaign
• Crisis Resources Directory
• Crisis Resources Directory - Spanish

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