Suicide Prevention

For Immediate Help:

For emergencies call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency room.

^{(Contacting any of these resources may mobilize active rescue including first responders and law enforcement).}

Deschutes County 24-Hour Crisis Line: Crisis services is a 24-hour program that responds by phone or face-to-face.
- (541) 322-7500 ext. #9
Deschutes County Stabilization Center: The Stabilization Center provides a wide array of crisis services to community including: crisis walk-in appointments, adult respite services, Forensic Diversion Programs, peer support, and more. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
- Non-Emergency (541-585-7210)
- Walk-In appointments: 63311 NE JAMISON STREET, BEND, OR 97703
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
- English: Text or Call 988
- Español: Llame 988 or envia “AYUDA” al 988
- Veterans: Call 988 then press 1, or text 838225
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Dial 711 then 988 or text 988
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255) TEXT “273Talk” to 839863
- For Veterans press #1
- Ayuda en español llame (for Spanish language call) 1-888-628-9454, TEXT “MIL1” to 839863
- For Hearing and speech impaired call 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Oregon YouthLine: YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line
- 877-968-8491 or text “teen2teen” to 83983
Trans LifeLine: a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
- 1-877-565-8860 (Non-Emergency) (Limited Operating Hours)
The Trevor Project: a crisis intervention resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people ages 13-24.
- 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678678
Emergency Department Guidebook: Advocating for Your Loved One During a Crises

Deschutes County Suicide Data Report - Trends, Risk Factors, & Recommendations

In September 2023, the Deschutes County Suicide Prevention Program released their second Suicide Data Trend Report. These statistics have been portrayed with anonymity in order to protect the identities of the individuals and their families. One death by suicide is one death too many. Deaths by suicide are circumstantial to each individual and there is no one factor that leads to someone dying by suicide. Better understanding the risk factors, warning signs, being aware of resources, and ways to increase social connectedness within our community can help lower our suicide rates. This report aims to not only provide information regarding suicide trends in Deschutes County from 2000-2020, but also to share applicable information that individuals, groups, and organizations may need to help prevent suicide in Deschutes County.

ACCESS THE DATA REPORT HERE

Get Involved with the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance

The Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance (COSPA) is a regional organization that was created through a collaborative partnership among public and private organizations in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. COSPA serves all residents in the Central Oregon area. COSPA develops, implements, and monitors effective programs that promote wellness and prevention of suicide death, attempts, and related behaviors. There are many ways to get involved, visit www.preventsuicideco.org to learn more.

Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss

Bereavement Groups

The Compassionate Friends:
- A self help group for parents who have had a child of any age die under any cause.
- Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm (except December). Located at Partners In Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct., Bend. For more information contact Carol Palmer at 541-480-0667 or carolpalmer004@gmail.com.
American Foundation For Suicide Prevention:
- Healing Conversations gives survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with volunteers, who are themselves loss survivors.

Outreach Visits for Survivors of Suicide Loss:

The American Foundation for Suicide Loss (AFSP) Survivor Outreach Program provides outreach visits for bereaved survivors of suicide loss and their families. Local trained volunteers from the Oregon Chapter of AFSP, who are survivors themselves, are on hand to listen with compassion, offer reassurance that surviving a suicide loss is possible and provide information about helpful books, support groups, healing conferences and other resources. To request a visit or for more information visit http://afsp.org. Request a visit through your local AFSP Chapter by contacting the Oregon coordinator via email or phone number as listed on the website.

Individual Grief Support

Partners in Care offers short-term individual support counseling sessions are available to families and children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Call 541-382-5882 for more information

Counseling & Mental Health Provider Directory

Counseling Services in Deschutes County:

Deschutes County Behavioral Health: 541-322-7500
St. Charles Behavioral Health Services: 541-706-2768
OSU-Cascades Free Counseling Clinic in Bend:
- To make an appointment: call 541-322-2047 or e-mail cascades.counseling@osucascades.edu
- Schedule Online
Best Care Treatment Services Outpatient Counseling:
- Bend: 541-617-7365
- Redmond: 541-504-2218
- Madras: 541-475-6575
- Prineville: 541-323-5330

General Questions about the Suicide Prevention Program

For general questions regarding Deschutes County's Suicide Prevention Program, please email:

Caroline Suiter, Mental Health Promotion Strategist: Caroline.Suiter@deschutes.org

Resources

Browse the links and Supporting documents at the bottom of this page. Listed are several resources to help someone who is suicidal, learn more about the risks and protective factors for suicide, and find out how to get training on suicide prevention from professionals.

Trainings Offered in Deschutes County

There are several different trainings available which range from short one hour sessions intended for everyone, to intensive 2-day trainings designed for professionals who work with potential at risk groups (e.g. police officers, school counselors, mental health service providers). . To learn more, request a training, or register for currently scheduled trainings visit the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance's website at www.preventsuicideco.org/training/.

Risk and Protective Factors

Research has identified risk factors which contribute to problem youth behavior, including substance abuse, violence, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, and suicide (Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992). The same research also identifies protective factors which mitigate these risks and help youth develop healthier lives. For more information about risk and protective factors and prevention in general, visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's website or the Center for Disease Control's website.