Marist school counselors and social workers are available to support students and link them with local mental health resources. If you are concerned about a friend, check out the step-by-step guide to ask “R U Okay?”. #BeThe1toAsk #RUOkay
WAYS TO GET HELP
Counseling Department
Did you know that Marist has 8 school counselors, 2 social workers, and 2 college counselors? Marist High School’s Counseling Department faculty members are available to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Counselors and social workers are trained to work directly with students facing various issues. The Counseling Department also works closely with local mental health providers to ensure that students are receiving needed mental health support outside of school as well.
Crisis Resources (NAMI)
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988
immediately. - If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
- You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
- Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
- Being Prepared for a Crisis
- Read our guide, “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis”
- What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide
- Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.
SUICIDE
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 988 or 800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)
• 988lifeline.org
MENTAL HEALTH
Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES)
• 800-345-9049 (Available 24/7)
• Mental health crisis calls for Illinois children and youth
Illinois Call4Calm Text Line
• Text TALK to 552020 for English or HABLAR for Spanish (Available 24/7)
• Stress-related to COVID-19 pandemic and need emotional support
• Anonymous
Crisis Text Line
• Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
• 24/7 support to anyone in any type of crisis
• https://www.crisistextline.org
Disaster Distress Helpline
• 800-985-5990 (Available 24/7)
• Text: TalkWithUs to 66746
• Support for emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters
• Trevor Project Hotline (LGBTQ+)
• 866-488-7386 (Available 24/7)
• Text START to 678678
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• 800-662-4357 (Available 24/7)
• www.samhsa.gov
Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substance Abuse
• 833-2FINDHELP (Available 24/7)
• Text “HELP” to 833234
• https://helplineil.org/app/home
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• 217-753-4117
• www.icasa.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
• 800-656-4673 (Available 24/7)
• Live Chat available
• rainn.org
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• 877-863-6338 (Available 24/7)
National Domestic Violence Hotline
• 800-799-7233 (Available 24/7)
• https://www.thehotline.org/
CHILD ABUSE
Illinois Child Abuse Hotline
• 800-252-2873 (Available 24/7)
OTHER SERVICES
National Runaway Safeline
• 800-786-2929 or TEXT 66008 (Available 24/7)
Take It Down – National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• https://takeitdown.ncmec.org
• Designed to remove or block uploads of sexually explicit images of minors online.
• Anonymously report sextortion before any images are ever circulated online.
R U OKAY? Inspiration
Marist High School’s R U Okay? initiative is inspired by R U OK?, a harm-prevention charity created in Australia by Gavin Larkin who lost his father to suicide in 1995. Gavin wondered if asking just one question “are you okay?” would protect other families from experiencing the pain his family endured. The movement encourages people to stay connected and have conversations with others that can help them through difficult times. R U OK? focuses on building the confidence, motivation and skills of the helper/giver/friend who can have a meaningful conversation with someone who is struggling with life.
The R U OK? movement contributes to suicide prevention by encouraging people to invest in personal relationships with others and build an informal network of support. It encourages people to be alert to others and have a conversation if they notice signs of distress or difficulty and connect them to appropriate support. Marist’s R U Okay? initiative believes in the tenets of this charity and encourages our students, faculty and community members to embrace “having a conversation that could change a life”. Check out https://www.ruok.org.au/ to explore more about this incredible, live-saving movement.
R U Okay? Guide
Click here or on the image below to view the entire guide.
