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, and providing Alternatives to Suicide, free peer support, and/or counseling to those who are struggling. We also are a key player in the Crisis & Suicide Postvention Response teams in the communities we serve and are active in the Regional Suicide Advisory Board.
Free Support Groups
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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Here at Positive Directions, we offer a free, weekly, virtual Alternatives to Suicide support group on Tuesdays at 7pm. On Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85226163499
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Toivo runs Alternatives to Suicide support groups on Wednesdays from 5-6:30pm in Hartford, facilitated by a Positive Directions staff member.
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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 offers free in-person Out of the Abyss support groups monthly in Bridgeport, Torrington, West Hartford, and Willimantic as well as a group that meets every 2 weeks in New Haven.​
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Since July 2024, New Life has been operating 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, there are free online suicide loss support groups several times a month:
• 1st Mondays at 7:30PM. Virtual. Run by SupportEachOther.org in Greenwich.
• 2nd Wednesdays from 7PM – 8:30PM. Virtual, run by My Friend Abby in Trumbull. Email gillian@myfriendabby.org or toddfellegy@gmail.com
• 3rd Mondays from 7:30PM – 9:30PM. Call Diane at 720- 838-3880 or Marianne at 203-400-2453, or reach out to DLSCO@ aol.com
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 an in-person training open to the general public on last Fridays, six times per year. (Sign up for the bimonthly training on our Events page.) Group trainings are also 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
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.​
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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 our resource lists with family.
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Also note that warmlines are also available, usually not 24/7. Warmlines are often staffed by people with lived experience, often volunteers, and can be a great way of connecting with someone who truly empathizes and understands what someone is going through.
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Be sure you & everyone in your family has the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) Crisis Text Line (741741) and/or other relevant hotlines or warmlines saved in your phone!
