skip to main content

Students In Crisis Supports & Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741. If this is an emergency, call 911.

Jump to: HCPSS Supports | Additional Resources

Suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one exhibits these behaviors, seek immediate help from a health care provider or call 988.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988; https://988lifeline.org/

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your family.

HCPSS Supports

Parents/guardians, family members or friends who are concerned about a child/student’s safety, well-being or health may always reach out to their school administrator and/or student support team.

HCPSS strives to give all students comprehensive support, with every adult serving a role in students’ social-emotional well-being. The school system embeds mental health supports throughout the instructional program and embraces community and family partnerships. This approach better equips HCPSS to help each child thrive socially, academically and emotionally. View the HCPSS Model for Mental Health Supports in Schools.

HCPSS student supports include, but are not limited to, psychological services, school counseling, school social workers, Pupil Personnel Services, and support for families experiencing homelessness.

Additional HCPSS resources include:

Additional Crisis Resources

Grassroots Crisis Intervention

Grassroots operates a 24-hour crisis hotline and walk-in counseling program, and is the main point of contact in Howard County for homeless services. They additionally operate Mobile Crisis Teams to respond with the Howard County Police Department to psychiatric emergencies and family crises in the community.

  • 24-Hour Crisis Hotline – 410-531-6677: Individuals may call for a variety of reasons including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness or depression, and chemical dependency issues, among others.
  • Mobile Crisis Team – 410-531-6677: This team of mental health professionals respond with the police to psychiatric emergencies, family crises, and other traumatic events in the community, and operates from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. daily.
  • Walk-In Counseling: Anyone in need of immediate assistance may walk in to the agency at any time to see a counselor. An appointment is not needed and there is no fee for the service.

NAMI Howard County

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Howard County seeks to improve the lives of individuals with mental illness and their families through education, advocacy and support, and to increase awareness of mental illness throughout the community. Contact 410-772-9300 for more information. If in a crisis, call the crisis line at 410-531–6677 or text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling.

Additional Resources

  • 211 Maryland, Call 2-1-1 and select option 1; text your zip code to 898-211: The state’s most comprehensive health and human services resource database.
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
  • Behavioral Health Navigation, 410-313-6240 or email bhnavigator@howardcountymd.gov: Connects community members, providers, and families to mental health and substance use resources in the community.
  • CareApp: The platform connects Howard County residents directly to more than 1,900 service providers for support with food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment, and more.
  • Coalition to Support Grieving Students: Creates and shares industry-endorsed resources that will empower school communities across America in the ongoing support of their grieving students.
  • Crisis Text Line, Text HOME to 741741: Free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention.
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline, 800-656-HOPE (4673): The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network operates the hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country.
  • Network of Care: Provided by the Howard County Health Department, Bureau of Behavioral Health, and the Local Behavioral Health Authority, the website provides information in the range of human services, including behavioral health, basic needs, and community resources, and materials are available in over 100 languages.
  • SAMHSA: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers resources for families coping with substance use disorders.
  • Teen Health Matters, 410-313-7500 or askhealth@howardcountymd.gov: A project of the Howard County Health Department designed to connect you, your friends, your parents, your mentors and the people who care about you most to the resources you need to stay safe, happy and healthy.