Suicide

Emergency contact information

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  Dial 988

• Springfield Police Department
  417-864-1810 or 911

• Sheriff Greene County
  417-868-4040

• Burrell Center Inc./Crisis Assist Team
  24-hr Crisis Line
  417-862-6555 or 800-494-7355

• Missouri State University
  Counseling Center
  417-836-5116

Emergency room contact

• Mercy Hospital
   417-820-2115
• Cox Medical Center South 
  417-269-4083
• Cox Medical Center North 
  417-269-3393

How you can help

• Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-fact about suicide. Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
• Be non-judgmental. Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.
• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
• Don't dare him or her to do it.
• Don't act shocked. This will put distance between you.
• Don't be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
• Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
• Take action. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.
• Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention or suicide prevention. 

Other resources

• For information on other suicide education sites. (http://www.save.org/)
• For help in understanding suicide. (http://www.suicidology.org/understandingsuicide.htm)
• For additional information regarding suicide. (http://www.siec.ca)

Counseling

If you have difficulty coping after the emergency, contact the Counseling Center or see the list of Springfield resources.