Suicide is a major cause of death and a serious public health concern in the United States. By developing a better understanding of suicide and its risk factors, we can all help with its prevention.
If you are struggling, or know someone who is struggling, there are resources available for you. See the list below for a variety of resources to facilitate suicide prevention.
Hotlines/Emergency Resources
911: if you are experiencing a severe mental health or suicide crisis, dispatch can send a crisis intervention team. However, dispatch does not provide de-escalation or emotional support services.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: this hotline is a nationwide resource that provides 24/7 confidential emotional support to people in severe emotional distress or a suicidal crisis. Support comes from a network of more than 200 crisis centers across the country.
Utah Crisis Line: This hotline provides specialized support from crisis workers trained in suicide prevention and other crisis management situations. It also helps connect individuals to local mental health resources.
To reach this hotline, callers may be routed to it when they call 988 if they have a Utah area code, or individuals can call 1-800-273-8255 and 801-587-3000.
Utah Warm Line: this hotline is available from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., 7 days a week, and provides an empathetic listening ear to individuals healing from personal struggles such as mental health or substance abuse issues. This line connects you with peer support specialists who have experienced similar struggles.
To connect with the Utah Warm Line, call 1 833 SPEAKUT or 801-587-1055
SafeUT: an app that enables you to connect to licensed counselors for crisis support. It is a messaging application rather than a call hotline. They provide assistance that is confidential, real-time, and available 24/7.
Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT): if you call 988 or the Utah Crisis Line, mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOT) can be sent to provide free in-person or virtual response. This service is primarily for Salt Lake County. Teams include licensed professionals and certified peer specialists who have personal experience with mental health challenges. MCOT can also provide follow-up services.
Mental Health Facilities
Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) Inpatient Treatment: if experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis, it may be helpful to seek inpatient treatment. AT HMHI, they day that “inpatient treatment is for individuals facing an acute (immediate) mental health issue who are unable to remain safe in a less restrictive environment.” They have services for both children and adults. Inpatient treatment includes monitoring, diagnosis, and the development of a treatment plan. They also provide a variety of therapy options.
Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center: this center is set to open in 2025 and will provide urgent psychiatric care to adults. Services will be aimed at de-escalation, stabilization, and connecting individuals with community resources.
HMHI Mental Health Receiving Center: helps adults ages 18 and older get help during a mental health crisis 24/7. They provide an intensive intervention and connect individuals with community resources and treatment options.
Educational Resources
QPR Training: NAMI Utah provides free QPR Training every second Wednesday of the month. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer. These are three simple steps that an individual can take to help someone experiencing a suicide crisis get help.
Live on Utah Suicide Prevention Playbook: a free course designed to teach you how to assist someone experiencing suicidal thoughts. There is both an English and a Spanish version.
Utah Suicide Prevention in the Workforce, Employer Toolkit: a guide from the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition designed to encourage employers to implement and improve strategies focused on improving the mental health of their employees.
Talk Saves Lives: an educational program from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) available in both English and Spanish. This presentation provides individuals with a comprehensive understanding of suicide and steps that individuals can take to assist with suicide prevention efforts in their communities.
Prevention Plans
Utah Suicide Prevention State Plan (2022-2026): from the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition, this plan outlines the core strategies and priorities necessary to address and reduce suicide in the state of Utah.
Utah LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Plan (2021-2026): from the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition, this plan outlines strategies for the prevention of suicide specifically within Utah’s LGBTQ+ community.