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Chapter 5-B - Suicide

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Related Topics: Emergency Crisis Assistance | Counseling: Individual, Group and Family | Support Groups

Facts About Suicide

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth in Maryland. Persons who may be isolated, depressed, and or unhappy about their lives may be at risk for suicide. These feelings may make it difficult to see all of the options available. For that reason, it is important to seek professional help for someone who is talking about suicide. It does not mean the person is mentally ill. To help:

  1. If you see danger signs in someone you know, let that person know you are concerned. Be a good listener, encourage talking about feelings, be supportive, accept what is said and treat it seriously. Let the person know that you care, that you want to help, that there are alternatives to dying, and that he or she does not have to face the problems alone.
  2. Take all the danger signs seriously. If the person is thinking of suicide, ask "How would you do that?" When? Where? Do you have the pills, a gun? The more detailed and firm the plan, the greater the danger - trust your judgment - if you think the risk is there, there's a good chance you are right. Someone at risk for suicide should not be left alone, and potential weapons such as pills, guns, et cetera should never be accessible to someone who is depressed and troubled - remove them from the home.
  3. A second person should always be involved in determining what to do next. Don't try to handle suicidal concerns alone. Don't ever be tempted to keep suicidal risk a secret - you may lose a person's confidence, but you may also save a life. Remember suicidal people want desperately to be rescued. If someone has let you know how bad he or she feels, it's because you could be trusted to help. Call someone experienced in working with suicide. If you can't reach a counselor or mental health resource, talk to someone you trust such as a teacher, minister, rabbi, principal, or doctor, who can help you to get professional advice.

Resources:

Crisis Intervention

Baltimore County Crisis Response System or CRS
Mental health crisis hotline 410-931-2214 Twenty-four hours, seven days a week
A community hotline for mental health emergencies, information and referral responses to the entire county. It is staffed by mental health professionals. Provides telephone triage and intervention, in home intervention for families, face-to-face evaluation of needs, community education, linkage to community treatment and support, and a Mobile Crisis Team.

2 1 1 Maryland at First Call for Help - United Way of Central Maryland
Dial 211 which is available to Verizon landline and wireless customers or 410-685-0525 for Greater Baltimore area; 1-800-492-0618 toll free throughout Maryland
TTY: 410-685-2159 Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for all other hours dial Maryland Relay 711
Experienced staff members help callers explore their problems and connects them of the public, nonprofit and private community resources that can help with their situation. This service is free and confidential. Callers may remain anonymous. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Franklin Square Hospital Center Crisis Intervention Service
443-777-8444, Twenty-four hours a day hotline
Through its Department of Psychiatry, Franklin Square Hospital Center provide twenty-four hour coverage for psychiatric and behavioral health emergencies in collaboration with their Emergency Room.

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center Inc.
Harriet Tubman Center
6700 Freetown Road
Columbia, Maryland 21044
410-531-6677 or 1-800-422-0009 for the Maryland Crisis Hotline 24 hours 7 days a week; TTY: 410-531-5086
Crisis intervention counseling is available by phone or in person for anyone in need of immediate assistance with a personal, situational, or mental health crisis. Services are free and confidential. Professional counseling staff and trained volunteers (on hotline service only) are available to listen, provide support and make referrals on a wide range of issues. 

Maryland Poison Center
220 Arch Street, Office Level 1
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
1-800-222-1222 24 hours, 7 days a week
Telephone consultation in cases of poisoning by specially trained pharmacists and nurses.

Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline
1-800-422-0009 24 hours, 7 days a week
A confidential, toll-free hotline designed to meet the needs of youth in crisis. The Hotline works from anywhere in Maryland, providing crisis intervention and support from trained local crisis intervention counselors who are familiar with the available resources in the county in which the person resides. Provides help for problems such as suicide intervention, drug and alcohol abuse, physical and sexual abuse, depression, loneliness, relationship difficulties and many other issues.

National Hopeline Network
1-800-SUICIDE  or 1 800 784-2433
Trained crisis line workers answer calls from people who are depressed or suicidal, or those who are concerned about someone else. Available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
 1-800-273-TALK or 1 800 273 8255, TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Twenty four hours, toll-free service that provides immediate assistance to individuals in suicidal crisis, a friend, or family member by automatically connecting them to the nearest available suicide prevention and mental health service provider.

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Counseling and Prevention:

2 1 1 Maryland at First Call for Help - United Way of Central Maryland
Dial 211 which available to Verizon landline and wireless customers or 410-685-0525 for Greater Baltimore area; 1-800-492-0618 toll free throughout Maryland
TTY: 410-685-2159 Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for all other hours dial Maryland Relay 711
Statewide, twenty four hours, seven days a week, comprehensive information and referral service. Experienced staff members help callers explore their problems and connects them to the resources that can help with their situation. This service is free and confidential. Callers may remain anonymous. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Baltimore County Department of Health - Bureau of Mental Health - MAPS-Maryland
800-888-1965
The Bureau of Mental Health is not a direct service provider, but works with MAPS-MD and many State and local providers, including private practitioners to provide, both preventive and therapeutic services, which include outpatient treatment, emergency, consultation and day care services, primarily for Medical Assistance (MA) income-eligible clients. Individuals and families needing help in coping with emotional or mental illness may seek help. To access mental health services in Baltimore County, contact MAPS-MD, Maryland's Administrative Service Organization (ASO) for intake and referral to services funded by Medical Assistance for the Public Mental Health System. For a complete list of providers who serve the Baltimore County region contact MAPS-MD at the same number or visit their web site.

Bereaved Parents of the U S A - Baltimore Metro Area
P O Box 625
Brooklandville, Maryland 21022
410-321-7053 24 hours a day
A self-help group which seeks to aid parents, siblings or grandparents who have experienced the death of a child.

Center for Grief and Loss at Stella Maris, Inc.
2300 Dulaney Valley Road
Timonium, Maryland 21093  
410-252-4500, ext. 7291
Bereavement support groups for spouse, any loved one, and children ages five to eighteen. Individual counseling offered as well.

Dundalk Youth Service Center
Dundalk Church of Brethren
2660 Yorkway
Dundalk, Maryland 21222
410-288-4356; 410-288-4357; 410-288-4358; 410-288-4359
Counseling for youth and their families living in Southeast Baltimore County. Youth served must be ages four to eighteen.

Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland - Woodlawn Office
 7000 Security Boulevard, Suite 302
Baltimore, Maryland 21244
410-281-1334
General counseling for families and individuals to solve vexing problems or to prevent issues from becoming disabling.

First Step
Suicide awareness and prevention programs, psychiatric evaluation and individual, group and family counseling to young people ages 7 through 18.

• Cockeysville Center
  10400 Ridgeland Road, Suite 1
  Cockeysville, Maryland 21030
  410-628-6120
  For adolescents and adults
• Randallstown Center
  3525 Resource Drive
  Randallstown, Maryland 21133
  410-655-7655
• Reisterstown Center
  100 Owings Court, Suite 8
  Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
  410-526-7100 By appointment only
  For adolescents and adults

Franklin Square Hospital Center - The Counseling Center
443-777-7785
Adults age eighteen and older receive treatment through the Counseling Center on issues such as anxiety, depression, and interpersonal difficulties. Staff members work with patients individually and offer group therapy. Children age two to seventeen receive treatment addressing behavioral issues and anger. Treatment for children and their families includes play therapy, family therapy, parent guidance work, medication treatment, and psychological testing and evaluation. It is located in the White Square Professional Building.

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center Inc.
Harriet Tubman Center
6700 Freetown Road
Columbia Maryland 21044
410-531-6677 Twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, Maryland Crisis Hotline 800-422-0009; TTY 410-531-5086
Professional counseling staff and trained volunteers (on hotline services only) are available to listen, provide support and make referrals on a wide range of issues. Crisis intervention counseling is available by phone or in person for anyone in need of immediate assistance with a personal, situational, or mental health crisis. Services are free of charge and confidential.

Jewish Community Services
Professional counseling and psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and families, serving a wide range of needs.

Key Point Health Services, Inc.
Provides outpatient community-based services to children, adolescents, and their families. Individual, family, and group therapy are offered. Psychiatric evaluation, consultation and medication monitoring are also available.

Lighthouse, Inc.
60 Mellor Avenue
Catonsville, Maryland 21228
410-788-5483
Crisis intervention and counseling for children, youth and their families for various emotional and social issues, call or walk-in accepted. If suicidal, intervention is provided, including accompaniment to emergency room.  Special programs for youth suicide prevention. Family members are asked to attend the first session of youth counseling, Thereafter, youth and family can be seen separately or together. Information and referral made to other agencies as needed. Offered to families with children 18 and younger living in southwest Baltimore County.

Main Street Community Mental Health Center
37 Main Street
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
410-526-7882
Mental health clinic for children, adolescents, and adults. Provides geriatric services. Offers crisis services, case management, family therapy, group and individual therapy. Intensive outpatient services available, including a mobile treatment program.

Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline
1-800-422-0009 24 hours, 7 days a week
A confidential, toll-free hotline designed to meet the needs of youth in crisis. The Hotline works from anywhere in Maryland, providing crisis intervention and support from trained local crisis intervention counselors who are familiar with the available resources in the county in which the person resides. Provides help for problems such as suicide intervention, drug and alcohol abuse, physical and sexual abuse, depression, loneliness, relationship difficulties and many other issues.

Mental Health Association of Maryland or MHAM
711 West Fortieth Street, Suite 460
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
1-800-572-MHAM that is 1 800 572 6426; 410-235-1178
Provides information and referral services, help in finding a support group, or a mental health provider.

Mosaic Community Services
410-453-9553 ext 1107
Three behavioral health centers offer comprehensive community mental health counseling services for children, adolescents, adults, seniors and their families.

Seasons
1701 Allen Court
Bel Air, Maryland 21015-4923
410-803-2098
Mutual help group that meets in Lutherville, Maryland and provides support and understanding for families and individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide.

Villa Maria Behavioral Health Clinics
Provides outpatient services including individualized assessment and plan of care, individual, group and family counseling, behavioral consultation, psychiatric evaluation and consultation, and more

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The text version of this page was last revised on 07 July 2009.
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