The sudden death this week of Don Cornelius, founder of “Soul Train”, brings new attention to the complex and sensitive problem of suicide and mental illness. Suicide is currently the eight leading cause of death in males and the 16th leading cause of death in females, killing more than 30,000 people each year in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an estimated eight to 25 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death. If you or someone you love is at risk for suicide, there are many free or low-cost resources in the Sacramento area to get help. If you need immediate help, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Here is a list of just a few of the local resources:
The Effort
www.theeffort.org
Clinic telephone: (916) 737-5555
Suicide Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255
Parent Support Line: (888) 281-3000
With several locations throughout Sacramento, The Effort offers inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment and mental health counseling. It also operates the area’s only 24-hour Suicide Crisis Line, as well as a 24-hour Parent Support line. The clinic accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, and some medical insurance including managed care.
Sacramento Network of Care for Behavioral Health
www.sacramento.networkofcare.org/mh
Managed by the County of Sacramento Department of Health and Human Services, the Network of Care is a comprehensive, internet-based community resource for people with mental illness, as well as their caregivers and service providers. The website offers a directory of services, including crisis and emergency services, mental health services and facilities, support groups, and safety and prevention. There is also information about diagnoses and insurance and advocacy.
Friends for Survival
www.friendsforsurvival.org
(916) 392-0664
Friends for Survival is a national non-profit organization open to those who have lost family or friends by suicide, and also to professionals who work with those who have been touched by a suicide tragedy. The organization offers a monthly newsletter, support groups, a suicide loss helpline, and conferences and retreats.
Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center
www.sacpros.org/SCMHTC
(916) 875-1000
(888) 881-4881
The Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center (SCMHTC) is an adult psychiatric health facility providing acute inpatient services to Sacramento County residents who are indigent or have Sacramento County Medi-Cal. The treatment center also provides information regarding resources for individuals with mental health crisis.
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