Prevention Counseling and Support are a Phone Call Away for Anyone Thinking of Ending Their Own Life

In the wake of two suicides in Lawrence Township in less than a week, township police and Lawrenceville Patch want to remind the public that professional prevention counseling and crisis support are available if you are considering taking your own life or fear that a loved one is thinking about suicide.

In the interest of protecting the identities of the deceased and their grieving families, Lawrenceville Patch is withholding details of the recent suicides, including the dates, times and locations at which they occurred. The purpose of this story is to let you know that help is available.

“Our detectives are still investigating but there appears to be no connection between these tragedies,” Lt. Charles Edgar, a township police spokesman, said.

Among the many organizations, both national and local, that offer help and advice are:.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of more than 140 crisis centers across the United States, operates a hotline for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Free, confidential counseling is available through the hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

The hotline can be reached by calling (800) 273-TALK (8255).

Veterans can be connected to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling (800) 273-TALK (8255) and entering the number “1.”

The veterans’ hotline is operated by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

CONTACT of Mercer County

A local nonprofit organization based in Ewing, CONTACT has been providing suicide prevention counseling 24-hours a day, seven days a week since 1975.

“CONTACT programs help people in Mercer County who are looking for someone to listen to them, ease their despair and help them share the daily burdens of life,” according to the organization’s website. “CONTACT saves lives that would be lost to suicide.  CONTACT volunteers care about other people and demonstrate their commitment to service through hours of listening to lonely and depressed people.”

The CONTACT hotline can be reached by calling (609) 896-2120 or (609) 585-2244.

NAMI Mercer

Based in Lawrence, the Mercer County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides information and support to people and families affected by mental illness.

NAMI’s help line, which is in operation 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, can be reached at (609) 799-8994.

Suicide.org

This website contains a variety of resources about suicide prevention, as well as information for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, warning signs for suicide include:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life