September is World Suicide Prevention Month and is a good time to remind ourselves that our words, actions, and support can truly make a difference in the lives of those who are facing the darkness of mental health challenges. We must acknowledge the pain that some individuals are silently enduring and let them know they are not alone. It's also a good time to share national and local resources in place to help those in crisis.
Mental health resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. Uncomfortable on the phone? You can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. Know you are not alone. There is help available, and there are people who care deeply about your well-being.
Along with the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, there is also a key option for at risk youth in Morris County.
PerformCare Mobile Response
1-877-652-7624
- PerformCare Mobile response can be utilized for a family needing stabilization for a child who may be at risk for suicide, but is not limited to this behavioral health crisis. If your child is experiencing debilitating depression, anxiety or another mental health issue and is refusing to attend school, Mobile Response may be authorized.
PerformCare may authorize mobile response stabilization services (MRSS) to come your home within one hour of notification to provide face-to-face crisis services. The goal is to stabilize behavior and keep your child at home.
Mobile response is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can offer up to eight weeks of stabilization services.
PUBLISHER NOTE: As the publisher of Macaroni Kid West Morris, I am proud to be able to use this platform to share information that might help someone in need. I have a personal history of utilizing PerformCare (this is a no-cost program run through the state of NJ) with one of my children and the program was instrumental in getting our family the help we desperately needed. They provided immediate and effective in-home counseling within an hour of my call. They then set us up with ongoing weekly therapy in-home for 8 weeks, provided a family therapist beyond the weekly therapy for my child, offered an education advocate to be the liaison with our school and also connected us with a parent mentor who had dealt with a similar situation. We did not know where to turn and our team at PerformCare guided us through all the different steps. I am available at any time if anyone wishes to have a private conversation about our experience. My advice - do not wait, it is just a phone call. amandajanke@macaronikid.com.
Additional help
- NJ HopelineOpens a new window: 1-855-654-6735.
The NJ Hopeline has specialists available 24/7 who offer counseling and support over the phone. - 2nd Floor Youth HelplineOpens a new window: 1-888-222-2228 (call or text).
2NDFLOOR is a confidential helpline for New Jersey’s youth that helps find solutions to problems they face at home, at school, or at play.
 Infographic by NAMI |
Find warning signs and risk factors of suicide, what you need to know about youth suicide, crisis resources, and more on NAMI.org.
Offer kindness, empathy, and support
During this World Suicide Prevention Month, let's be a beacon of hope for those in need. Our willingness to offer unwavering support, paired with our capacity to listen without judgment, can alter the trajectory of someone's life. Together, we can work towards creating a community where mental health is openly discussed, where struggles are met with compassion, and where every individual knows that they matter.
Let's unite in kindness, empathy, and solidarity. Let's light up the darkness with love and understanding. Remember, there's always hope – and there's always help.
