If you are in crisis or feeling suicidal, call or text 988
Click here for more information and resources.
Suicide is an important public health issue facing Vermont. According to the Suicide Data-Linkage Project
2020-2021 Data Analysis report released in September 2023, "Approximately 120 Vermonters die by suicide each year, and Vermont’s suicide rate has been increasing over the past 18 years. For each of these suicide deaths, countless other Vermont family members, friends and colleagues are greatly impacted."
Facing Suicide VT offers the following information on the many warning signs someone may have if they are considering suicide, and what to do when you see the signs, including five steps you can take as well as ways to reduce access to lethal means.
​
​​Warning signs
-
Isolation
-
Feeling like a burden
-
Financial loss or instability
-
Giving away belongings
-
Follow up with texts, calls or face-to-face visits
-
Increased Anxiety
-
Physical Pain
-
Increased substance use
-
Looking to harm themselves
-
Looking for access to guns or other lethal means
-
Extreme mood swings
-
Hopelessness
-
Withdrawal or social isolation
-
Personality change
-
Sleeping too little or too much
-
Talking about death
Learn more about warning signs from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
​
What to do if you see signs
-
Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide, then listen without judgment. If someone says they are, call 988 or 9-1-1.
-
Keep people safe by removing access to potentially dangerous household items like firearms or medications.
-
Be there. Make an emotional connection. Let them know that you care.
-
Help them connect to support. Ensure they have hotline numbers programmed into their phone or written where they can easily find them.
-
Follow up with texts, calls or face-to-face visits.
​
Lethal means safety means properly storing and limiting access to household things that could be used to harm yourself or other people in your household.
-
Keep firearms locked and unloaded.
-
Keep ammunition locked in a separate location.
-
Limit large amounts of medication in the house.
-
Have Poison Control in your phone 1-800-222-1222 to find out what to do if you know what may have been ingested.
-
Learn more about firearm safety and safe storage from the Vermont Department of Health.
LGBTQIA+ needs
Transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming people face considerable discrimination in our society, leading to higher rates of suicide and mental illness.
To create safer communities, we can honor and respect the spectrum of gender identities by correctly using someone’s pronouns. We can also model using our own pronouns when meeting new people.
​
Practice pronouns
Not sure how to use different pronouns? Click here for some help.
Resources
2-1-1 - Dial 2-1-1 from any phone (mobile or landline) and ask for teen support.
Facing Suicide VT - A statewide prevention effort providing access to suicide prevention, education, support, and advocacy resources.
VT Youth Suicide Prevention - Vermont-based resource providing encouragement, support and resources for youth.
Suicide
NEWS
GFC Bookstore
You can now purchase in bulk materials that have been created by GFC staff at cost plus shipping and tax. This includes books, journals, bookmarks, and stickers. Click here!​
​
March 2024 Newsletter
Want to see what we're up to? Download our newsletter for updates, achievements, and upcoming events! Click here to read.
​
LGBTQIA+ Hangout
Join us for a FREE hangout for LGBTQIA+ members, ages 18 and old. Stop by Parks Place from 2-4pm on the second Saturday of each month for writing, crafting, reading, gaming, or just hanging out. More information can be found on Facebook.
​
Online Narcan training
If you've picked up a package of Narcan or Naloxone and don't know how to use it, check out this video with instructions from the Vermont Department of Health.​
​
Discover fun area activities for families.