Every Brilliant Thing grapples with the highs and lows of despair and joy in our lives as humans and speaks openly about depression, mental illness, and suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm or suicide, there is help available. 

If you require immediate assistance:

• Call 911

• Go to the nearest emergency room

• Call the toll-free, 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- TALK (8255) 

• Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trainee crisis counselor for free, 24/7 

Local Organizations:

WorldWithoutSuicide.org - The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation - We are working to build a world without suicide by providing education and resources throughout Hampton Roads. Since our inception in 2014, we’ve trained thousands of individuals using evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs. | Warning Signs |

The Chas Foundation lists local resources.

National Organizations

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Offers referrals to in-person support groups and mental health professionals for those having thoughts of suicide, those who have lost someone to suicide and those who have attempted suicide; offers resources on loss; suicide prevention information. 

Befrienders Worldwide: Provides an open space for those who are in distress to talk and be heard. Befrienders Worldwide strives to improve access to information about suicide and emotional support services worldwide. 

Ohio Recover Center: Their mission is to provide support and stability for patients undergoing detox and withdrawal, coordinate a smooth transition into residential care, and offer a healing environment rooted in peer connection and clinical support.

Live Another Day: Featuring the 12 Best Rehab Centers in Virginia.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Mon-Fri 10am-10pm ET for mental health assistance.

National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.  

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. *La ayuda está disponible en español.*  | Call 1-800-273- TALK (8255)  | Online chat available at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ 

Recovery Village: Comprehensive treatment services for substance abuse and co-occurring mental heath disorders.

Samaritans Helpline: Offers 24/7 confidential, nonjudgmental support if you are feeling suicidal, lonely, or depressed. *La ayuda está disponible en español.*  | Call or text (877) 870-HOPE (4673) 

Social Media Victims Law Center: An organization that is focusing on the damaging effects social media can have on some of our lives, particularly on teens.

Trans Lifeline: a grassroots hotline and organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.  | Call (877)-565-8860 

Online Resources

Holistic Mental Health Tips - Granite Recovery Centers post discusses the Principles behind Holistic Health and strategies to help find holistic health providers.

Resources for Military and Veterans

Military Help Line: 24-hour free, confidential crisis support for military service members, Veterans and their families. *La ayuda está disponible en español.* 
Call (888) 457-4838   | Text MIL1 to 83986 

Veterans Crisis Line: 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their loves ones. 
Call 1-800-273-8255, for Veterans Affairs, press 1  | Text 838255   | Chat online 

Veteran Call Center: 24/7 confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.   | Call (877) WAR-VETS (927-8387) 

Resources for Youth and Teens

Boystown National Hotline: 24-hour crisis line for teens and families in need of help: suicide prevention line, parents can call about parenting issues, kids can call about anything — provides suicide prevention line, referrals and problem solving (calls answered by trained crisis counselors). *La ayuda está disponible en español.*  | Call (800) 448-3000 

Thursday’s Child: 24-hour emergency help and information for youths in crisis. Helps children, teens and young adults faced with bullying, eating disorders, self-harm, sexual assault, thoughts of suicide, trafficking, abuse, abduction, and addiction.  | Call (800) 872-5437 

Trevor Lifeline: 24/7 hotline, text-line and online chat; provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13–24  | Call (866) 488-7386  | Text START to 678-678 

Resources for Family and Friends Grieving Loss Due to Suicide

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Coastal Virginia hosts peer-led support groups as well as training and workshops for those affected by mental illness and the loved ones of those who struggle.

Alliance of Hope: works to decrease stigma, increase understanding of the suicide loss experience, and provide direct support to survivors. 

Carson’s Village: Free service to assist families in managing practical details following the sudden loss of a loved one. 

SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education): Provides resources for survivors of suicide loss, including a search function for support groups. 

TAPS Suicide Loss Survivor Assistance: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides support to family members who have lost loved ones to suicide through postvention to prevent family members from experiencing mental health crises.  | Call (800) 959-8277 for emergency crisis situations. 

Training for Suicide Prevention and Intervention

The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation - We are working to build a world without suicide by providing education and resources throughout Hampton Roads. Since our inception in 2014, we’ve trained thousands of individuals using evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs.

Mental Health First Aid: a skills-based training course that teaches participants how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

QPR Institute: Provides innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives. 

Suicide Prevention Resource Center: SPRC advances suicide prevention infrastructure and capacity building through consultation, training, and resources. 

Zero Suicide: Improving suicide care within health and behavioral heath systems. Training resources targeted towards healthcare professional.