At times, the challenges of life can become increasingly hard to navigate and can lead to feelings of distress and thoughts of self-harm. The College wants to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff are aware of the risk factors, warning signs, and resources available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are many ways to get immediate help.
Suicide Prevention Hotlines
National
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Get help for yourself or a loved one by calling or texting the number 988
State and Local
- Berks County Crisis – 610-379-2007
- Bucks County Mobile Crisis (Lenape) – 1-877-435-7709
- Chester County Crisis (Holcomb) – 610-280-3270
- ChildLine, child abuse hotline – 1-800-932-0313
- Delaware County Crisis (Elwyn) – 1-855-889-7827
- Montgomery County Mobile Crisis – 1-855-634-HOPE (4673)
- Philadelphia Crisis – 215-685-6440
- Veterans Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255, press 1 or text: 838255
- WhyHunger food helpline – 1-800-5-HUNGRY (486479)
Crisis Intervention Services
On Campus (24hrs/day)
Contact the College’s Department of Public Safety.
- Blue Bell Campus – 215-641-6666
- Pottstown Campus – 610-718-1913
- The Culinary Arts Institute in Lansdale – 267-646-5973
Off Campus (mobile crisis response; 24hrs/day)
- Montgomery County Mobile Crisis is here to help you. Montgomery County Mobile Crisis provides not only immediate support for crisis situations, but also assistance with managing recurring or future crises. Support is available to anyone in Montgomery County (including children, teens, adults, and families) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-634-HOPE (4673)
- Bucks County Crisis Services Line – 1-800-499-7455
- Chester County Crisis Services – 610-280-3270
- Delaware County Crisis Connections Team – 1-855-889-7827
- Lehigh County Crisis Intervention – 610-782-3127
- Philadelphia County 24-Hour Mental Health Delegate Line – 215-685-6440
Mental Health Services
Certain services may also be accessible via a mobile device.
TimelyCare Telehealth
Montco provides convenient, personal, and professional mental health and telehealth support to students through TimelyCare. This digital space offers counseling, therapy, psychiatry, and telehealth services from licensed providers. Current students can access the log in details through Montco Connect
Local Support
- Montgomery County Mental and Behavioral Health – available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Call 610-278-3642
- Montgomery County Adult Mental Health Services Guide
- National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) PA Montgomery County – NAMI is now offering Virtual Support Groups: Recovery Support, Family Support and NAMIWellness Chats for anyone.
- Montgomery County Community Connections – a 'Navicate' can point you in the right direction, and even refer you to a variety of resources based on need
- Central Behavioral Health
- St. Luke's Penn Foundation – located in Sellersville, the St. Luke's Penn Foundation offers a variety of programs and services ranging from crisis services to yoga classes
- Creative Health Services, Inc – offices in Pottstown and surrounding areas, providing outpatient support
- Merakey – formerly NHS Human Services, offers behavioral health services in Lansdale
- Victim Services Center of Montgomery County – 24-hour hotline available - 1-888-521-0983
- Find a Mental Health Practitioner
- The Resiliency Center – The Resiliency Center of Greater Philadelphia is home to multiple independent practitioners who work mindfully to promote holistic wellness.
Support Groups
National Support & Hotlines
- ULifeline – an online resource for college mental health
- Jed Foundation (JED) – aims to protect emotional health and prevent suicide
- Mental Health Is Health – video resources and personal stories on mental health and substance abuse
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Get help for yourself or a loved one by calling or texting the number 988
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – A free, confidential national helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Open Counseling – Free telephone counseling hotlines in the U.S.
- Crisis Text Line – a free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis. Text HOME to 741741 in the United States.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – get help without saying a word. Online chat is available 24/7/365 or you can call 1-800-799-7233
- Trans Lifeline – Trans Lifeline connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. Call 877-565-8860.
- The Trevor Project – providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. Call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678678 or chat online 24/7.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. Call 1-800-422-4453.
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – contact the Helpline for support, resources and treatment options for yourself or a loved one. Call 1-800-931-2237 or text NEDA to 741741.
- National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline – call 800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Suicide Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Warning Signs
- Talking about suicide, wanting to die, kill oneself
- Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun
- Having a plan for carrying out suicide
- Talking about feeling worthless, hopeless, or having no reason to live
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Suddenly happier and calmer, especially after a period of depression or sadness
- Giving away prized possessions
- Getting affairs in order, making arrangements
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Preoccupation with death
- Acting anxiously or agitated; behaving recklessly.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Withdrawal from or changing in social connections/situations
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
- Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context
- Recent increased agitation or irritability
Risk Factors
- Diagnosis of depression
- Previous suicide attempt
- Family history of suicide
- Loss of job, home, money
- Death or terminal illness of a loved one
- Divorce or loss of major, significant relationship
- Loss of health, either real or imagined
- Someone close to the person has completed suicide
- Recent disappointment or rejection
- Being expelled from school/fired from job
- Sudden loss of freedom/fear of punishment
- Victim of assault or bullying
- Questioning gender
Reference: Prevent Suicide PA website.
Communication Plans
Suicide Prevention Communication Plan
Montco will deploy a multichannel suicide prevention communication plan four times per year: at the start of the fall (September) and spring (January) semesters, and again at the start of finals week (December and May). The communications will be sent to students via email and through Montco Connect.
The communications will be sent to students via email and through Montco Connect, as well as highlight suicide awareness information and link to free crisis response and mental health resources located on this Suicide Prevention Plan page. Additionally, Montco will run a social media campaign to encourage suicide prevention and mental health awareness to the surrounding community. The social media campaign will be deployed in September, as part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness month, and in May, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Postvention and Communication Plan
In the event of a confirmed suicide of a student, faculty member or staff member, the College will make support services readily available and will communicate directly with affected students, faculty, and staff. The Office of the President, Wellness Director and/or Student Affairs will work in conjunction with MarCom to share information to the appropriate parties.
