National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline

988

If you are thinking about suicide, please don't wait! Call this three-digit phone number, toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential. Trained suicide prevention counselors are on standby to help you through this crisis.

At Concordia Parish School Board, the well-being of our students is our highest priority. Understanding and addressing mental health is essential for creating a supportive and nurturing environment. This webpage is dedicated to providing vital information and resources about suicide prevention.

Suicide is a critical public health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. It is important to recognize that feelings of despair and hopelessness can be overwhelming, but help is available. By fostering awareness, promoting open conversations, and offering accessible support, we aim to create a safe space where students feel valued and heard.

Here, you will find information on recognizing warning signs, understanding risk factors, and learning how to support someone in need. Together, we can work towards a community where every student feels supported and empowered to seek help. Your mental health matters, and there is always hope.

What happens when you call the 988 Lifeline?

Help Us Direct You to the Right Person

First, you’ll hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local 988 Lifeline network crisis center.

Connect with a Trained Crisis Worker

A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone.

Music While You Wait

We’ll play you a little music while we connect you to a skilled, trained crisis worker.

What You Can Expect from the Crisis Worker

This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.

Know the Risk Factors

Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide. Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.

  • Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders

  • Alcohol and other substance use disorders

  • Hopelessness

  • Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

  • History of trauma or abuse

  • Major physical illnesses

  • Previous suicide attempt(s)

  • Family history of suicide

  • Job or financial loss

  • Loss of relationship(s)

  • Easy access to lethal means

  • Local clusters of suicide

  • Lack of social support and sense of isolation

  • Stigma associated with asking for help

  • Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment

  • Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

  • Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Know the Warning Signs

Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline.

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

  • Talking about being a burden to others

  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

  • Sleeping too little or too much

  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves

  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

  • Extreme mood swings

How to Support Someone in Need

Have A Hope Mindset

Suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.

Take Action

Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others.

Create Access to Crisis Centers

By offering immediate counseling to everyone that may need it, local crisis centers provide invaluable support at critical times and connect individuals to local services.