988 - Connect to Behavioral Health Crisis Services
Calling 988 will connect callers directly to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which encompasses all behavioral crisis services, to include all mental health and substance use (problems with drug and alcohol use).
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline AND expands services to cover all behavioral health crisis services.
Learn more about 988 in Maryland
Who can I call if I am in need of help or anyone I know is in need of help?
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention or call 988
- Maryland Crisis Connect
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call to (800) 273-8255 or 988
- Crisis Text Line - Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA
- Harm Reduction Services Program
- For Peer Support Staff with lived experience call 667-203-1253
- Harm Reduction/Syringe Service Programs (SSP) info or supplies please call 667-203-1264
- Visit to learn more about Harm Reduction Services, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (located at the HCHD Van in the Howard County Health Department Parking Lot)
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs
The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) wants to connect Howard County community members with evidence-based mental health, suicide prevention education and stigma reduction programs. Partners including Howard County General Hospital, Grassroots Crisis Intervention, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Maryland Chapter and the Mental Health Association of Maryland are collaborating to make these programs accessible to the community.
Use the link below to access the Menta Health and Suicide Prevention Programs Flyer:
CAREAPP Suicide Prevention RESOURCES
CAREAPP is a Howard County Health Department program that connects County residents to community programs and services, including resources for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more.
- Please click the following link to access CAREAPP Suicide Prevention Resources: CAREAPP Suicide Prevention Resources
Intervention Resources
Grassroots Mobile Crisis Team - Grassroots Mobile Crisis Team is a team of mental health professionals who respond to psychiatric emergencies, family crises, and other traumatic events in the community. You can reach the Mobile Crisis Team by calling 988.
Community Services Directories - Howard County Health Department maintains a Behavioral Health Directory and other resource guides to assist residents in location treatment options.
Resources for Parents Following an Attempt – this resource guide provides information and resources to parents of individuals who have attempted suicide.
Behavioral Health Navigation – Behavioral Health Navigation connects community members with resources for mental health and substance use treatment, as well as information about social and financial supports. Call 410-313-6240 or complete the SurveyMonkey form here to speak with a Navigator.
Maryland Coalition of Families – MD Coalition of Families offers support groups to parents and caregivers of individuals with mental health or substance use challenges, as well as Family Navigators to assist with locating services.
NAMI Howard County – NAMI Howard County offers support groups and educational classes for individuals with mental illnesses and their loved ones.
Prevention Resources
**NEW** Safeguard Your Home Brochure - The Safeguard Your Home Brochure offers valuable guidance on how to safeguard your home and help prevent suicide.
- English
- Spanish - Proteja su Hogar
- Chinese - Digital Copies Available Only
- Korean - Digital Copies Available Only
Sources of Strength – Sources of Strength is an evidence-based peer leadership and suicide prevention program for high school students in Howard County. The program connects Peer Leaders with Adult Advisors who share Hope, Help, and Strength-based messages in the community.
Teen Health Matters – Teen Health Matters is a website providing information on all aspects of health for adolescents, including detailed information on suicide warning signs. Check out the Teen Health Matters podcast on Dragon Digital Radio here.
Suicide Prevention Trainings and Workshops – The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) maintains an inventory of mental health and suicide prevention trainings in our area. Trainings and workshops are provided by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, NAMI, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Howard County General Hospital. You can find a list of trainings and workshops here.
Emotional Support Human – Emotional Support Human provides guidance on how to reach out to loved ones and have a conversation about mental health.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – AFSP’s website provides comprehensive guidance on how to prevent suicide, connect a loved one to help, and navigate a suicide loss.
National Institute of Mental Health - Learn about NIMH research on suicide. Find resources on warning signs of suicide, treatments and therapies, prevention, and finding help in crisis.
The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project website provides resources and information for LGBTQIA+ young people and their allies.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a free, confidential, hotline and has trained counselors to listen to to what you’re going through, connect you with local support groups and organization, and refer you to other health care professionals, 24/7. Call or Text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Maryland Mind Health – Maryland Mental Health Text Message Support connects individuals with caring messages of hope and encouragement. Text MDMindHealth to 898-211 to register.
Postvention Resources
AFSP Healing Conversations – Healing Conversations provides peer-to-peer support for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.
The Compassionate Friends of Patapsco Valley – The Compassionate Friends provide grief support to individuals who have lost a child.
Now Matters Now: Self-Help Videos and Resources
Now Matters Now Self-Help Videos and Resources is a website by and for people who have survived suicidal crisis. The website features videos of suicide survivors describing activities that help them get through suicidal crises and resources like Safety Plans, Cold Water, Radical Acceptance, Problem Solving, Mindfulness, Distraction, Opposite Action, and Caring Messages. CMEs are available.
Visit Now Matter Now to watch the Skill amd Support for Coping with Suicidal Thoughts Video.
How can I get involved in reducing stigma and supporting others?
- NAMI Howard County or call to (410) 772-9300
Training Public Safety to Prevent Overdose in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Communities
To identify the extent of public safety-led overdose prevention efforts and corollary training for public safety personnel that are tailored for BIPOC communities, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with support from the CDC, conducted an environmental scan consisting of a literature review, 11 key informant interviews, and two roundtable discussions with a diverse group of individuals with experience in overdose prevention, harm reduction, or public safety.
Visit National Council for Mental Wellbeing to learn more about this training.
