There is always hope.

You are important. You are loved. You have a purpose. No matter the circumstance, no matter the time of day, we are here for you. So let’s get through this together.

Call the Central Ohio Suicide Prevention Hotline at (614) 221-5445.

or

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

About Us

Every 18 minutes, someone in the United States will complete suicide. More than 30,000 people will die by suicide in this country each year, and an estimated half a million people will attempt and survive suicide. Suicide occurs among people of every racial, ethnic, religious and income group. Each suicide has a profound and lasting effect on the surviving family and friends.

North Central’s Suicide Prevention Services mission is simple: let’s get through today together. Whether you need someone to listen, a basic need to be met, or help talking through a problem, we’re here.  We want to hear from you. We want to listen, we want to help, and we want to be a resource you can count on.

We are completely volunteer-based. Yes, that means people are spending their time training, listening, and being here because they know you are worthwhile. We have volunteers of all backgrounds servicing the hotline 24/7. We are never closed, and we will never let you go until we have a next step for you.

Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at (614) 221-5445.

Our Services

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Suicide Prevention Hotline

Answered by a team of highly trained volunteers, this line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline volunteers listen, assess suicide risk, and give support to callers in crisis. We also provide information and assistance to relatives, friends, co-workers and others who are concerned about an individual expressing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

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Senior Hotline

This 24-hour line is available to help older adults and their caregivers deal with the needs and issues of aging. Trained volunteers who answer this line provide caring support and assistance.

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Community Education

Staff and trained volunteers provide awareness education about depression and suicide to schools, youth groups, civic organizations and professional groups.

To request a speaker, call (614) 299-6600.

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Survivors of a Loved One's Suicide Support Group

This group meets the last Sunday of the month from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at North Central Mental Health Services, located at:

1301 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201

For more information about the group,
call (614) 299-6600.

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Depression Support Group

This group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at North Central Mental Health Services, located at:

1301 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201

For more information about the group,
call (614) 299-6600.

Helpful Resources

Netcare Access

24-hour mental health and substance abuse crisis intervention.

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North Central Mental Health

Comprehensive mental health and recovery centered services for all ages.

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National Alliance on Mental Illness

Provides support, education and advocacy for people with mental illness and their families.

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Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Behavioral health services for children ages 0-18.

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Mental Health America – Pro-bono Counseling

Pro Bono counseling services and support groups.

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Lutheran Social Services 211 Central Ohio Inc.

Comprehensive information and referral line connecting individuals to social services in the community.

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Huckleberry House

24-hour crisis service for youth and families in Central Ohio.

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Lutheran Social Services Choices

Domestic violence safe haven shelter in Franklin County.

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Fresh Trak

Emergency food assistance resources.

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Homeless Hotline

Emergency shelter resources. Call 614-274-7000.

Our suicide prevention volunteers are here to listen

Volunteer with us

What it’s like

It will be one of the most important things you ever do.

We don’t say that to be intimidating, but it’s true. In fact, few of the calls you receive will actually be life-or-death in the moment you answer them. But we can’t underestimate the importance of empathy and compassion. By simply being there to listen to someone, and by making it known that you care, it can provide hope and support to someone in crisis. And that alone can help them get through the day.

We need good listeners. We need people with kind hearts who care for others. We need you. We’re completely volunteer-based, and we rely on people like you to help us help others.

Interested? Awesome. So here’s what you need to do.

How to become a volunteer

1. Fill out our Contact Us form.

Once you’ve filled it out, we’ll be in touch with you about starting training.
2. Go through training.

We will give you the tools you need to handle the calls you may encounter. Training is done twice a year, in the spring and the fall. Due to COVID-19, it is currently mostly remote, with the exception of a few in-person sessions you will be required to attend.

3. Get your feet wet.

After you’ve gone through training, you will do a couple shifts with us and answer a few calls while supervised at our hotline center. This will be the final step to determining if you’re ready to answer calls solo.

4. Help your community.

After you’ve been cleared to answer calls on your own, we’ll work on getting you scheduled into the rotation so you can start helping those in need.

There’s always hope. Here’s why.

Contact Us

If you need to speak with someone right away, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at (614) 221-5445. Otherwise, if you are interested in becoming a volunteer or sending in an inquiry, please fill out the form below.

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