Suicide Prevention

The Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) develops, coordinates, and implements suicide prevention activities and related suicide prevention practices. SPP promotes evidence-based suicide prevention through education, awareness, and community partnerships to reduce the overall number of suicides in Anne Arundel County.

A hopeful woman

Suicide Prevention is Possible and Anyone Can Help Prevent Suicide

Pictures of Hope

Everyone can play a part in suicide prevention by promoting well-being and hope. You are invited to share a photo or phrase about ways you promote suicide prevention, well-being and hope this month, and throughout the year. Photos will be included in a video shared by the Department of Health.

Upload Your Photo
One file only.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png.

By checking YES above, you fully consent to being photographed, on behalf of the Anne Arundel County Department of Health (AACDOH). You fully and irrevocably authorize the reproduction, publication and use by AACDOH, including its licensees, assigns and contractors, of my image for any lawful purpose, including illustration, promotion, advertising or social media messaging, without any royalty or compensation to me, including for the purpose of an advertising campaign which may be posted on a public website at www.aahealth.org. You assign to AACDOH any and all rights of ownership to the photographs, or the digital files thereof, and agree that AACDOH has full right to copyright, use or publish the same in print and/or electronically, with full right of lawful disposition in any manner. You hereby release, waive and discharge any claims of any kind or nature arising out of, or relating to the photographs taken on this date, against AACDOH or any person or firm authorized by AACDOH to publish said photographs, in whole or in part. This release shall be binding upon me and my successors, heirs, assigns, executors and administrators. You are at least 18 years of age and competent to sign this release. By signing this form, You acknowledge that You have completely read, fully understand and freely accept the terms of this release.

Nonstigmatizing Language

Talking about suicide will not make someone have suicidal thoughts or increase someone’s risk of suicide. When talking about suicide, it is important to avoid words and phrases that carry negative meanings to decrease stigma.

Words to use:

 
  • Died by suicide
  • Suicide attempt
  • Attempt survivor
  • Suicide loss survivor

Words to avoid:

 
  • Committed suicide
  • Successful attempt
  • Unsuccessful or failed attempt
 

More information about suicide prevention language:

Risk and Protective Factors

There is no single cause of suicide, but there are factors that affect the likelihood of someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempting suicide.

A risk factor is a characteristic that increases the likelihood of a negative outcome. This may include:

  • Physical or mental health challenges
  • Substance use
  • Previous suicide attempt(s)
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Isolation
  • Exposure to violence
  • Societal stigma

A protective factor is a characteristic that reduces the likelihood of and protects against a negative outcome. This may include:

  • Effective coping and problem-solving skills
  • Strong sense of identity
  • Supportive family and friends
  • Feeling connected to community and social groups
  • Access to behavioral health care

More information about risk and protective factors:

Warning Signs

Most people show warning signs that indicate they may be thinking about suicide. 

Warning signs may include:

Talking about thoughts of suicide, such as:

  • Killing one’s self
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Having no reason to live
  • Being a burden to others
  • Feeling trapped
  • Unbearable pain
  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Behaviors, such as:

  • Looking for a way to end their lives
  • Withdrawing from activities or isolating from family and friends
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
  • Giving away prized possessions

Moods and feelings, such as:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of interest
  • Humiliation or shame
  • Irritability, agitation or anger
  • Relief or sudden improvement
  • Extreme mood swings

More information about suicide warning signs:

If you are experiencing any of these warning signs, or are worried about someone you know, help is available. Please call Anne Arundel County Warmline at 410-768-5522 or call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 support and resources.

Community and Mental Health Resources

Local

Anne Arundel County Crisis Response Warmline - 410-768-5522  
24/7 mental health and substance use disorder support.
Anne Arundel County Network of Care  
Simple and fast access to information about behavioral health services.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Anne Arundel County  
An organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness.
Maryland Suicide Prevention Program  
Aims to increase awareness of suicide and improve preparedness to identify individuals at-risk, intervene and provide support to promote healing and improved quality of life.
Mental Health Association of Maryland  
Behavioral health advocacy, outreach and education, services oversight, and training for Marylanders.

National

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  
Gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center   
Federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)  
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
National Institute of Mental Health  
One of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.

Groups at increased risk for suicide

First Responders

Health Care Professionals

LGBTQ+ Persons

Military and Veterans

Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities

Youth and Young Adults

Presentations and Trainings

Available trainings and presentations

For more information or to request a presentation or training, please contact the Suicide Prevention Program.

Suicide Prevention Presentation Request Form

410-222-6371 Suicide-Prevention@aacounty.org

Suicide Prevention Program Overview (in-person or virtual)

  • About: Overview of the Department of Health's Suicide Prevention Program and local and national resources.
  • Length: 15–30 minutes

Suicide Prevention (in-person or virtual)

  • About: Provides information about suicide prevention, warning signs and symptoms, and community resources.
  • Length: 1–1.5 hours

Question. Persuade. Refer. Gatekeeper Training (in-person or virtual)

  • About: People trained as QPR gatekeepers will learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope and how to get help.
  • Length: 1.5 hours

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (in-person or virtual)

  • About: Provides tools to increase the time and distance between individuals at risk of suicide and the most common and lethal methods of suicide while respecting their rights and autonomy.
  • Length: 1.5–3 hours

Mental Health First Aid for Adults (in-person only)

  • About: Teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary.
  • Length: 7.5–8 hours