Help For Yourself

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Are you thinking of suicide?

You are not alone.

One in 4 adults experiences a mental illness in a given year. In addition, many people at some point in their lives have had suicidal thoughts. Feeling suicidal is not a weakness or defect in character. It doesn’t mean you are crazy or flawed. It only means that you are having more pain than you can deal with at this time.

The pain seems unbearable and permanent right now, but with time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and thoughts of suicide will pass.

People Helping Hands

Will it get better?

With help comes hope.

People who seek treatment and diagnosis get well and stay well. Even for "major" diagnoses such as schizophrenia, scientific studies demonstrate that a majority of individuals recover over time.

While some individuals become free of psychiatric concerns altogether, others learn new ways of living in and adjusting to the world.

What are the steps to getting better?

  1. If you are at a point where you do not think you can stay safe for now, or have done something that has put you at risk for death, call 911.
  2. Promise not to do anything right now.
    Thoughts and actions are different. Your suicidal thoughts do not need to be acted on immediately. Make a promise to yourself that you will not do anything drastic for at least 24 hours. Reach out for help during this time.
  3. Reach out to others.
    Don’t keep your feelings to yourself.
    • Call friends or family.
    • Call the Lifeline.
    • Call the Counseling Center.
    • Call your mental health provider, or primary care physician.
  4. Find a therapist and other resources.
    • If during business hours, call the TMCC Counseling Center at 775-673-7060 and schedule an appointment. Come into RDMT 115 and let them know you are in a crisis.
    • After hours, you can call the Reno Crisis Call Center at 988, a local resource linked to Nevada 2-1-1, a free connection to critical health and human services.
    • Our Wizard Wellness 24/7 support line is available in partnership with Uwill. Online and face-to-face counseling visits are available to you no matter where you are—on or off campus. Call 833-646-1526.
  5. Create a safety plan.
    A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that can help you avoid dangerous situations and know the best way to react when you're in danger of suicide.
  6. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
    They can seem to make you feel less pain, but suicidal thoughts can be intensified with drugs or alcohol. Even prescription drugs may be harmful. Talk to your primary care or psychiatrist immediately to determine if the benefits of taking your medication outweigh the risks.
  7. Have hope!
    People who feel as badly as you do have managed to overcome and survive. Think on the times you have been in pain before and how your resilience helped you come through it.
  8. Make your home safe.
    Remove things that you can use to hurt yourself, such as pills, razors or firearms. Lock them up or give them to someone who will return them to you when you are safe.
  9. Watch stories of hope, such as the David Lilley story available on YouTube.
  10. If you are not feeling safe, don't hesitate to call 911.
  11. Find more information at HelpGuide.