Immediate Emergency
When to Call 911 or Go to the ER
Some situations can’t wait. If any of the following are happening right now, call 911 immediately or take the person to the nearest emergency room.
Call 911 immediately if someone:
Has already attempted suicide
Is actively hurting themselves and can’t stop
Has a weapon and may use it
Cannot promise to stay safe
Is severely intoxicated and suicidal
Is confused, violent, or medically unstable
Has overdosed or may overdose
🏥 Go to the nearest emergency room if someone needs immediate medical or psychiatric stabilization. You don’t need to wait for 911 — you can drive them yourself if it’s safe to do so.
Utah
Utah Crisis & Suicide Prevention Resources
All resources below are free and available 24/7 unless noted. If you’re not sure where to start, call or text 988 — they’ll connect you to the right help.
Utah Crisis Lines & Programs All services are free and confidential
| Service / Program | Phone / Contact | What They Do |
|---|---|---|
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or Text 988988lifeline.org | 24/7 support for suicide, self-harm, and emotional crisis — call, text, or chat online |
| Utah Crisis Line | 988801-587-3000988.utah.gov | Utah’s statewide crisis line — connects you to local crisis support and can dispatch mobile teams |
| Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) | 988 / 801-587-3000988.utah.gov | Real people come to you — 24/7 mobile crisis teams that can respond in person anywhere in Utah |
| Tooele County MCOT | 435-882-5600or 988valleycares.com | County-specific mobile crisis response for Tooele County residents |
| Wasatch ROC Dispatch | 801-852-2131wasatch.org | Utah/Wasatch County crisis dispatch — connects to local mobile crisis response |
| Recovery Outreach Center (ROC) | 801-852-2131wasatch.org | 24/7 walk-in crisis stabilization center for adults in Provo — no appointment needed |
| Crisis Residential Support (CRS) | 801-852-4510wasatch.org | Short-term crisis housing and stabilization — a safe place to stay while you get support |
| Vantage Point / CY FAST | 801-373-4760wasatch.org | Youth stabilization and family crisis support — for young people and the families supporting them |
| SMR (Mobile Response for Youth) | 833-723-3326or 988hs.utah.gov/smr | Mobile crisis response specifically for young people — a team comes to where you are |
| SafeUT App | 833-372-3388safeut.org | Free app for Utah students and parents — 24/7 crisis chat, tips, and support. Download on Apple or Android. |
| Utah Warm Line | 833-773-2588801-587-1055healthcare.utah.edu | Not in crisis but need to talk? The Warm Line is peer-to-peer emotional support — no emergency needed |
| Emotional Health Relief Line | 833-442-2211utahparentcenter.org | Free emotional support for parents and families — call when you’re overwhelmed and need to talk |
| NAMI Utah HelpLine | 801-323-9900namiut.org | Mental health referrals, support, and education — for individuals and families |
| NAMI National HelpLine | 800-950-6264Text NAMI to 62640nami.org | Nationwide mental health support, resources, and education — free, Monday–Friday |
| Hope Squad | hopesquad.com | Student-to-student peer suicide prevention in schools — trained peers who look out for each other |
National
National Crisis & Suicide Resources
These resources are available no matter where you are in the US — including specialized support for veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Native communities.
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, Press 1 | Text 838255
Crisis support for veterans, Guard, Reserve, and their families — 24/7, confidential
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Nationwide text-based crisis support — available 24/7 if you can’t talk out loud
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386 | Text START to 678678
Crisis and suicide support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth — 24/7
Trans Lifeline
Peer support run by and for transgender people — staffed by trans operators
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788
Abuse, safety planning, and emotional crisis support — 24/7
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free referrals for mental health and substance use treatment — 24/7, no insurance needed
Disaster Distress Helpline
Emotional support for trauma and distress caused by disasters or community crises
National Runaway Safeline
Crisis support for young people who are homeless or have run away from home
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Domestic violence and crisis support for American Indian and Alaska Native communities
LGBT National Youth Talkline
Peer support for LGBTQ+ youth up to age 25 — Monday through Saturday
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Harm)
Support and referrals for people struggling with self-harm behaviors
In-Person Help
Utah Walk-In Crisis Centers
You can walk in to these centers any time — no appointment needed. They are staffed around the clock with people who are trained to help.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute
801-587-3000
📍 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
- Crisis stabilization and emergency psychiatric evaluations
- Suicide prevention services
- Emergency behavioral health support
- Inpatient and outpatient mental health services
Wasatch Behavioral Health
801-852-2131
📍 1175 East 300 North, Provo, UT 84606
- Mobile crisis outreach — they come to you
- Walk-in crisis support (Recovery Outreach Center)
- Short-term stabilization and crisis housing
- Youth and adult crisis services
Recognition
Warning Signs, Risk Factors & Protective Factors
Knowing what to look for — in yourself or someone you care about — can save a life. You don’t need to see all of these signs to reach out for help.
⚠ Warning Signs — Seek Help Now
- Talking about wanting to die or not wanting to be here
- Saying they feel hopeless or trapped with no way out
- Giving away things they care about
- Suddenly saying goodbye to people like it’s for the last time
- Looking up or researching ways to end their life
- Big, sudden mood swings — especially calm after extreme distress
- Pulling away from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
- Taking big risks — reckless driving, dangerous behavior
- Drinking more or using drugs more than usual
- Self-harming or threatening to hurt themselves
- Can’t think of any reasons to stay alive
- Saying they feel like a burden to everyone around them
🔶 Things That Raise the Risk
- A previous suicide attempt (biggest risk factor)
- History of self-harm
- Severe depression or hopelessness
- PTSD or past trauma
- Experiencing domestic violence
- Chronic pain or serious physical illness
- Addiction to alcohol or other substances
- Being isolated or feeling alone
- A major loss — breakup, job, death of someone close
- Legal or financial problems
- Not sleeping — serious sleep deprivation
- Psychosis or severe emotional dysregulation
- Having access to firearms or other lethal means
- Family history of suicide
💚 Things That Help Protect People
- Having people who love and support them
- Strong family or community connections
- Religious or spiritual beliefs that give life meaning
- Working with a therapist or counselor
- Having hope and goals for the future
- Healthy ways of coping with stress
- Safe and stable housing
- Reducing access to firearms and lethal means
- Feeling emotionally understood and validated
- Healthy sleep, exercise, and physical routines
For Families
What Families Can Do
If someone in your family is struggling, here’s what you can do right now to help — and how to talk to children about these hard topics.
🛡 If Someone Is Suicidal or Self-Harming
- Stay calm and stay with them — your presence matters
- Ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” — this does not plant the idea
- Don’t shame them or threaten to punish them
- Remove or lock up firearms, medications, ropes, knives, and substances
- Don’t leave them alone if the risk feels high
- Call 988 together — you can both talk to someone
- Ask for a mobile crisis team (MCOT) when you need face-to-face help
- Go to the ER if you can’t keep them safe at home
🧒 Talking to Children About Suicide
- Stay calm and emotionally available — kids follow your lead
- Use simple, honest, age-appropriate words
- Validate their feelings instead of dismissing them
- Encourage them to ask questions — there are no wrong questions
- Make it normal to ask for help when something feels wrong
- Teach them: if a friend seems unsafe, tell a trusted adult right away
- Watch for changes: less sleep, pulling away, aggression, hopeless statements
📱 Tools That Help Families
- SafeUT App — free app for Utah students and parents, 24/7 crisis chat
- Hope Squad — student-to-student suicide prevention in schools
- NAMI Family Support — free support groups for families of people with mental illness
- Columbia Protocol App — a research-backed tool to help assess suicide risk (see below)
- Utah Warm Line (833-773-2588) — call when you’re overwhelmed but not in crisis
- Emotional Health Relief Line (833-442-2211) — free support for parents
Evidence-Based Screening Tool
The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
The Columbia Protocol (C-SSRS) is one of the most widely used and trusted suicide screening tools in the world — used in hospitals, schools, the military, and crisis programs.
It helps families and professionals figure out how serious the risk is by looking at the person’s thoughts, their plan, their intent, and whether they’ve tried before. It’s designed so anyone can use it — not just medical professionals.
- Helps identify suicidal thoughts and how serious they are
- Looks at whether there is a plan or intent
- Asks about previous attempts and self-harm history
- Tracks whether the risk is getting worse
- Simple enough for families to use at home
Scroll to the bottom of this page for links to download the Columbia Protocol App for Apple and Android devices.
Learn More
Related Articles & Resources
These utah23.org articles go deeper on suicide prevention, parenting guidance, and mental health support.
Empowering Hope in Our Children to Address Mental Health and Suicide
utah23.org/2025/09/04/hope/
Parent Guide: Talking About Suicide with Your Child — Age-by-Age Advice
utah23.org/2025/07/30/parent-guide-suicide/
Sleep and Suicide: Understanding the Connection Between Sleep Deprivation and Suicide Risk
utah23.org/2022/02/12/sleep-suicide/
You don’t have to wait until things get really bad.
Emotional pain, suicidal thoughts, panic, hopelessness, self-harm urges, or feeling overwhelmed — all of these deserve support early. Reaching out is not weakness. It’s a sign that you need more support than one person can carry alone. Even one conversation can make a difference.