Dear employee,

Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer, King County Executive Office

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and recognize that suicide prevention works, help is available, and recovery is possible.

Suicide has warning signs, and I encourage you to take the time to learn them. Connecting to help for yourself, a loved one, or a colleague can make the world of difference. Effective and compassionate resources are available, 24 hours a day, and many people have found hope and support through them:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• Making Life Easier: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-888-874-7290 (for King County employees and their families). Making Life Easier has counselors available 24/7 and can help in a crisis as well as get you or anyone living in your home set up with counseling (8 free sessions).
• Crisis Connections:  24 hour crisis line:  866-4CRISIS (427-4747).
• Crisis Text Line: Text trained crisis counselors about anything that’s on your mind. Free, 24/7 and confidential. Text “HOME to 741741,
• For immediate crises, call 911 right away.

You can also learn more and get additional information at:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Crisis Connections
• Washington 211

By taking the time to learn the warning signs and how to get support, we can all help someone in crisis.

Sincerely,

Whitney Abrams
Chief People Officer
King County Executive Office