About Samaritans
What we do
- 24/7, completely confidential support to individuals in crisis and their loved ones
- Solace to those impacted by suicide
- Education to caregivers + the public on effective suicide prevention strategies
- Advocates for suicide prevention at all levels
(local, state, national and international)
Our Mission
Samaritans' mission is to prevent suicide + help save lives!
Our Vision
We envision a world free from the tragedy of suicide.
A world where every person has the same opportunity to live a fulfilling life, regardless of their background, history or personal circumstances.
A world without stigma, where individuals are empowered to seek help and support without fear or shame.
A world with proactive communities that are equipped with effective suicide prevention strategies, mental health resources, and compassionate support networks.
Samaritans' RESOURCES
Samaritans' Fact Sheets
Learn about the scope of the problem, the ​factors that contribute to suicide and what ​we can do to help prevent it!
Challenge your own bias and see how you ​respond to the prompts on this worksheet
The majority of people who attempt suicide ​do something or say something to let others ​know before they act. Learn the warning ​signs, risk + protective factors for suicide.
Learn about how to make a suicide method ​less deadly and/or less available during a ​suicidal crisis.
Samaritans' Support Tools
Check out Samaritans' user ​friendly Safety Plan template. ​This tool will help you develop ​a personalized, practical plan ​that outlines steps a person ​can take to stay safe during a ​suicidal crisis.
Over 60 pre-screened NYC-​based programs and services​—all with detailed descriptions, ​contact information and links ​to websites.
Discover Samaritans' Guide to ​Mental Health Mobile Apps ​featuring a selection of pre-​screened apps designed to help ​you easily explore reliable apps ​and find something that works ​well for you!
This page is offers pre-screened ​resources for those impacted by ​suicide loss. These resources ​have been selected for their ​specific focus on the survivor ​experience.
Samaritans' Support Services (Printable Flyers)
general prevention
SAMHSA's findsupport.gov
An online guide that helps people navigate through common questions when they are at the start of their journey to better behavioral health.
An overview and basic understanding of depression, its symptoms and key methods of providing help from the National Instistute of Mental Health.
People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
Check out Samaritans' user friendly Safety Plan template. This tool will help you develop a personalized, practical plan that outlines steps a person can take to stay safe during a suicidal crisis.
Discover Samaritans' Guide to Mental Health Mobile Apps featuring a selection of pre-screened apps designed to help you easily explore reliable apps and find something that works well for you!
Over 60 pre-screened NYC-​based programs and services​—all with detailed descriptions, ​contact information and links ​to websites.
Interactive, self-care guide
Research + Statistics
A Closer Look at the Numbers...
The CDC has released data showing a 4% increase in suicide rates in 2021. The 47,646 reported suicide fatalities in 2021 is just 1% lower than the all-time high in 2018.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for Millennials (CDC, 2019).
- Suicides occur at 2.5x the rate as homicides (NIH, 2022).
- Emergency department visits for suicide attempts increased significantly for 12-17 year-olds (CDC, 2021).
- There was an 8% increase in suicide rates for males 15-34 (CDC, 2022).
- The fastest-growing demographic for suicide risk is Black youth ages 10 to 19 with a 73% increase in suicides since 1991(APA, 2020).
- Pre-pandemic, 36% of NYC youth stated they felt so sad or hopeless it interfered with their daily activities (YRBS, 2019). Samaritans' expects the results of the 2021 YRBS, which are slated to be released in Spring 2023, to reflect the national uptick in suicides. It is estimated the survey will show even higher numbers of our city’s youth reporting anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and/or actions.
- The pandemic has worsened pre-existing deficits in available mental health services for BIPOC youth (SAMHSA, 2021).
Full report that highlights trends in the births and deaths that occur in New York City.
Offering important depictions of the state of public health in New York City prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUMMARY OF VITAL STATISTICS, NYC
2010-2019
After a Suicide
This page is offers pre-screened resources for those impacted by suicide loss. These resources have been selected for their specific focus on the survivor experience.
For Kids
for Kids
Downloadable activities for kids that are designed to help them communicate and understand their emotions in a fun and engaging way. This toolkit includes: Feelings forecast, mood thermometer, "cope-cakes" and more!
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For Teens
Talking about mental health does not need to be uncomfortable, and it can make all the difference.
These resources provide tips about what to say throughout these tricky conversations so you can be a friend who really listens! Learn how to support a friend – or get help for yourself.
Worried about something about your health (including mental health), but too embarrassed to ask? Go Ask Alice!
This website provides an anonymous health question and answer internet resource from Columbia University.
This MTV campaign, in partnership with many mental health non-profits, aims to normalize conversation around mental health.
The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults
For Parents + Caregivers
Use this Conversation Starter Pack to make sure you're fully equipped to have a healthy conversation with your kids about emotional wellbeing.
The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults
For Schools
Investing in LGBTQIA2S+ Student Mental Health in K-12 Schools With a Youth-Centered Approach
This guide assists schools in implementing a coordinated response to the suicide death of a student.
Effectively creating and maintaining safe and supportive school environments.
For Mental Health Professionals
For the workplace
Free, expert and confidential guidance on job accommodations. It offers a range of resources on its website as well as one-on-one assistance to both employers and individuals with a range of disabilities, including mental health conditions.
This guide outlines 10 action steps for dealing with the aftermath of a suicide
For AAPI
Compiled by Columbia University, this webpage contains a comprehensive listing of free resources curated for AAPI individuals and communities. These resources aim to increase access to both professional mental health and self-care resources for AAPI.
For people who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and are living with mental illness or any mental health challenge.
For BIPOC
A BIPOC peer led hotline that provides a space for crisis support, peer counseling, anonymous reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for those most impacted by systematic oppression.
The Steve Fund is the nation’s leading organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.
A toolkit developed by the Wilder Research Foundation in June 2021
For LGBTQIA+
Investing in LGBTQIA2S+ Student Mental Health in K-12 Schools With a Youth-Centered Approach
For Elderly
