Suicide Prevention
Every suicide is a tragedy that has a lifelong impact on friends and family and often ripples out into the broader community. Yet suicides can be prevented when people are aware of the warning signs and proactive in starting what may be a life-saving conversation... and when timely treatment and supports are available.
Positive Directions's role includes providing training to raise awareness of warning signs and how to respond, promoting mental health, providing counseling and peer support to those who are struggling with a behavioral health disorder, and helping communities respond in the wake of a suicide.
Free Support Groups for Suicidal Ideation
If you or someone you know is currently in an urgent suicidal crisis, dial 211, option 1 to access CT's regional mobile crisis service or 911 for your local first responder team. You can also call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 from anywhere. These hotlines are available 24/7.
For people who experience frequent thoughts of suicide, there are many free, peer-led options available, as complements or alternatives to traditional therapy:
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Positive Directions offers a free, weekly Alternatives to Suicide support group at our office in Westport on Tuesdays at 7pm.
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Toivo runs Alternatives to Suicide support groups on Mondays from 3:30-5pm (online) and Wednesdays from 5-6:30pm in Hartford.
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RIPPLE offers a free, late-night suicidal ideation support group on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights from 8pm-9:30pm. Info here.
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NAMI CT has both an in-person and an online Out of the Abyss group. The online group is specifically for young adults and involves a D&D role-playing component. ​
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As of July 2024, New Life opened CT's first peer-run respite: The Gloria House, in New Britain. It's a free, voluntary place to stay where a person experiencing an emotional crisis can stay for a few days as an alternative to a psychiatric hospitalization.
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For those who have lost a loved one to suicide, suicide loss support groups are run locally in Westport, Trumbull, Darien, and Greenwich. Get & share info by posting this flyer.
Suicide Prevention Training
Positive Directions can provide mental health and suicide related education to workplaces, community groups, and the general public. Contact Margaret to schedule a training, or watch our events page to sign up for the next program. Trainings are available in English or Spanish.
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Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR): A 1.5 hour skills training providing awareness, a 3-step process, and role play to practice the skills needed to recognize and reach out to someone in need. Limited to 30 participants at a time. Can be combined with an overdose/Narcan training (1/2 hour extra). We provide this training to students in the Norwalk and Westport high schools each year, and we offer a virtual training for the general public on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. (Sign up for the monthly training on our Events page.) Group trainings available on demand in the communities we serve.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): a certification course good for 3 years. Course involves 2 hours of pre-work online, followed by a live training session of 4.5 hours.
Hotlines & Warmlines
There are many free 24/7 resources people can call to talk with a trained supporter about any type of emotional issue, not just suicide. There are hotlines related to substance misuse, gender/sexual identity, sexual assault, domestic violence, and more. Download and share these resources with family
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Be sure you & everyone in your family has the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) and the Crisis Text Line (741741) saved in your phone!
