Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call one of the 24-hour crisis hotline numbers below right away:

• Samaritans Statewide Hotline: 1-877-870-HOPE (4673) 
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Press # 1 if you are a Veteran  
• The Trevor Helpline: 866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386) - Specifically for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth and young adults

Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Program

The goal of the Suicide Prevention Program is to reduce the number of suicides, suicide attempts and self-injury among Massachusetts residents. We do this by:

• Raising awareness of suicide as a public health problem
• Providing support to communities, agencies and individuals interested in suicide prevention
• Providing education and training for professionals and caregivers
• Funding community-based suicide prevention and mental health promotion programs
• Supporting and collaborating with state, regional and community suicide prevention coalitions
• Supporting and encouraging communities to collaborate across disciplines to prevent suicide and suicide attempts across the lifespan. 

For more information about the program, please contact Irene at Irene.Villard@state.ma.us.

Massachusetts Statistics

• 504 Massachusetts residents died by suicide in 2007.
• In 2007, there were 4,305 hospital stays for self-inflicted injuries.
• In 2007, there were 6,720 emergency department visits for self-inflicted injuries.
• In 2007, the number of suicides was 2.8 times higher than homicides.
• In 2008, the Samaritans of Massachusetts responded to over 154,144 crisis calls.

To see much more data on suicide and self-injury, please visit the Injury Surveillance Program here. For suicide and self-injury data questions, please email MDPH-ISP@state.ma.us or call (617) 624-5648.  

Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention

Coming soon...

Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Resource Guide

This guide provides local, state and national suicide prevention and survivor support services and resources. MA Suicide Prevention Resource Guide (PDF) | RTF

Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention

The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) brings together people from different fields and backgrounds to reduce suicide and promote mental health. The group meets bi-monthly in Wellesley. For more information, please contact co-chairs, Kimberly Gleason at kgleason@afsp.org, or Barry Feldman at Barry.Feldman@umassmemorial.org.

Save the Date for the 9th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference!

This two-day conference has over 30 workshops that provide information to anyone interested in the prevention of self-injury and suicidal behavior across all ages.

Date: Tuesday, May 18th and Wednesday May 19th, 2010
Location: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, Marlborough, MA

For more information, please contact Janice at Janice.Ventre@state.ma.us.

Youth Suicide Prevention Project

In the fall of 2008, we were awarded a second Garrett Lee Smith grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We are funding three Community Health Network Areas (CHNAs) - Berkshire County, the Cape and Islands and North Central MA - to work to reduce the rate of suicide and self-injury among young people ages 10-24 years old.

For more information, please contact Christine at Christine.Farrell-O'Reilly@state.ma.us.

General Information About Suicide

Program Resources (Downloadable Brochures, Facts Sheets, etc.)

Special Populations (LGBT, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Veterans, Older Adults, People with Disabilities, College)

Regional and Community Coalitions

Additional Resources

Our mailing address:

Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Program
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02108-4619
Tel: 617-624-5544
Fax: 617-624-5075

For More Information

For more suicide prevention resources in Massachusetts, please contact us.