Association For Individual Development, 7S299 Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL 60506, US

The goal of Suicide Prevention Services is to reduce suicide risk and completions by massive public education, depression screening and early identification and intervention before a crisis. It began in 1982 as a self-help group and has evolved to offer more services. Depression and Suicide Hotline Services: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), which is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's (NSPL, the 273-8255 number) standard for suicide intervention training. That training was developed by Livingworks: http://www.livingworks.net/ Depression Screening: Since untreated depression is a major contributor to suicide, free depression screening is offered year round to anyone. Children from age 6 and up can be screened. This has often been the first step in the process. Many clients have told SPS that being able to walk through the door, have the screening done, and getting help, has been the first step in a successful journey out of depression. Depression Hotline: Empathic paraprofessionals are trained to counsel callers with any personal problems such as anxiety, alcohol, family, school and sexuality and are prepared to work with the lonely, the depressed and the suicidal. Information and Referral: Operators provide information about the availability of social services of a health or mental health nature in Kane County, Illinois. 1-800-273-8255 Emergency Service: Operators are trained to help people through such emergencies as attempted suicide, drug overdose and psychotic episodes. SPS Care Calls: Volunteer operators call or visit shut-ins daily or on specific pre-arranged days to check on their well-being. Buddy calls are provided free of charge on either a temporary or long-term basis. Support groups are hosted twice per month for attempters of suicide. Support groups for those who have lost a loved one are hosted twice a month as well. For information on groups, please visit www.spsamerica.org or call 630-482-9699. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/spsfvillinois Facebook: www.facebook.com/suicidepreventionservices Twitter: www.twitter.com/spsfv