Suicide Prevention
CONTACT US
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Mental Health Promotion & Suicide Prevention
3160 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-5357
Email: MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us
Suicide Prevention
In Marion County, we join the Surgeon General and state leaders in recognizing and responding to the need for suicide prevention.
According to the National Institute on Mental Health, these behaviors may be some of the
signs that someone is thinking about suicide (National Institute on Mental Health).
Talking about:- wanting to die
- great guilt or shame
- being a burden to others
Feeling:- empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
- extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
- unbearable emotional or physical pain
Changing behavior, such as:
- making a plan or researching ways to die
- withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
- taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
- displaying extreme mood swings
- eating or sleeping more or less
- using drugs or alcohol more often
Here are a few ways you can be helpful to someone who is thinking about suicide (adapted from
University of Alabama at Birmingham).
- ASK: expressing your worry and willingness to help can make a difference.
- KEEP THEM SAFE: this might include removing sharp objects for the moment, or not leaving the person alone.
- BE THERE: it is important to emphasize to the person that they are not alone, physically or emotionally.
- HELP THEM CONNECT: contact a local resource or call/text 988.
- FOLLOW UP: Let the person know you are thinking about them and care about their wellbeing.
Email Privacy: While we are happy to answer general questions via email, we suggest you do not transmit personal or health related information in your message. We cannot meet any expectation you might have of confidentiality when you communicate with us over the Internet. If you have a specific personal or health-related issue, please call the appropriate county government office instead.
Email address: health@co.marion.or.us
To report a public health emergency, or make an urgent report of communicable disease, call 503-588-5621 at anytime.
