Suicide Prevention and Community Counseling
If you need help, or know someone who does, call 415-499-1100. This is Marin County’s only 24/7 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline.
In-person/telephone Grief Counseling 415-499-1195.
Suicidal crises tend to be brief. Most people do not want to die – they just want to end the pain they are experiencing. When suicidal behavior is detected early, a life can be saved.
Our supportive counselors answer the county’s only Suicide Prevention & Crisis Hotline 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Volunteer grief counselors provide in-person grief counseling for Marin residents with fees based on a sliding scale.
There is hope…we can help.
Warning Signs of Suicide:
o Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.
o Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
o Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
o Talking about being a burden to others.
o Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
o Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
o Sleeping too little or too much.
o Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
o Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
o Displaying extreme mood swings.
North Bay Suicide Prevention Project at a Glance
Family Service Agency of Marin has contracted with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) for three years to coordinate the North Bay Suicide Prevention Project, expanding the Suicide Prevention and Community Counseling Hotline in Marin to five additional North Bay counties. We are expanding our accredited, locally responsive Crisis Hotline services in Marin to Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties.
By 2014, North Bay residents will have access to immediate, confidential, high quality and effective 24/7 Suicide Prevention Hotline services provided by lead agency Family Service Agency of Marin in collaboration with North Bay county governments. The North Bay counties will have their own local toll free number.
For more information about the North Bay Suicide Prevention Project please contact: Melissa Ladrech at 415-499-1193, extension 3004.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are vital to our 24/7 service. To volunteer on our Hotline, individuals must successfully complete our Hotline Training Class. The class is supervised by the Program Director, a licensed MFT, and includes information on the following topics: identifying individuals in suicidal or other types of crisis; communication; counseling; active listening skills; and suicide/crisis intervention techniques and other subjects.
The 40-hour training classes are held in San Rafael for 6 weeks on Tuesdays nights from 7-10pm with one all day Saturday class. For those becoming volunteers there are 4 additional Tuesday nights 7-9pm. Classes are held in February, May, and September of each year.
Our next class starts February 3, 2015. Please email us at fsa@fsamarin.org for more information.
