Founded in 1958, Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center is the nation’s first and a model for suicide prevention centers across the globe. Our center served and trained more than 175,000 individuals in 2022.
Our Survivors of Suicide Attempts Manual for Support Groups curriculum for treating people who have attempted suicide has been shared with more than 2,200 mental health professionals in 50 states and 54 countries. To download the manual, click here.
No other center offers such a comprehensive array of crisis services, therapy, outreach and training to such a large number of people. We also participate in leading edge research that is transforming the field and saving lives.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988. The previous number (1-800-273-8255) will continue to function and will route calls to 988 indefinitely.
Crisis Line
Our multilingual 24/7 Crisis Line is a leading member of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and CrisisChat networks. Our crisis counselors also answer calls for Teen Line and the national Disaster Distress Helpline and use Crisis Text to communicate with those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Our Suicide Response Team is part of the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Crisis Response Team. We also offer follow-up services for suicidal patients discharged from area emergency departments.
Therapy & Support Groups
People who have attempted suicide, lost a loved one to suicide, are a caregiver for the previous two, or are a Frontline Healthcare worker or First Responder often find comfort and healing in our specialized support groups held in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties and via telehealth for other California residents. For those who need more support, our licensed clinicians provide short-term individual and family therapy to help people cope with loss, enhance their resilience and develop strategies to keep themselves safe.
In Orange County, we also offer a direct referral process for hospitals, emergency departments, behavioral health units, and crisis stabilization units who are discharging patients from these settings after an admission for a suicide attempt and/or suicidal crisis. This process allows a direct connection for the discharged patient to link to our therapy step down services which utilizes CT-SP, and evidence-based treatment.
For Los Angeles or Ventura Counties, contact: 424-362-2911
For Orange County, contact: 714-989-8306
Training
Our training programs in suicide prevention are designed to meet the needs of different audiences. We have special training for first responders, such as law enforcement and FBI agents; medical training for doctors, nurses and other health professionals; clinical training for therapists, social workers, counselors and psychologists; and community trainings for professionals, adults and adolescents.
For Los Angeles County, contact: (424) 362-2909
For Orange County, contact: (714) 989-8309
Suicide Prevention Chat Portal
Click here to chat with a Crisis Counselor: