Mental Health

Support Is Available: Mental Health Resources for Suicide Prevention

Published September 10, 2025

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

“Talking about suicide is not harmful -- silence is.”

That’s the message from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in its “Start the Conversation. Be the Difference.” campaign to prevent suicide this September.

Suicide Prevention Month is a vital time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and offer tools for hope, healing, and support. Additionally, learning to recognize the signs that a friend or loved one is struggling, being there to start the conversation and listen meaningfully can save lives.

Open communication normalizes mental health struggles, fosters connection, and strengthens support networks.
Simple language helps: “You’re not alone,” “I’m here with you,” or “Let’s talk” can create meaningful openings.
While frequently suicide is an impulsive decision, made in a moment of crisis, there is also a link to mental health, and recognizing the need for help is an important first step to getting the support you need or helping a loved one access the care they need.

Tools for Support: You’re Not Alone

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are more ways than ever to access mental health care through your SchoolCare/Cigna health benefits. In fact, you have access to 24/7 support with Cigna’s robust virtual care options.

In-Person Counseling

For those who value face-to-face interaction, traditional in-person therapy provides a personal and immersive environment for care. To find a provider accepting new patients, login to myCigna and use the Find Care and Costs menu to search for providers in your area accepting new patients.

Virtual and Text-Based Counseling

There are numerous benefits to virtual or text-based counseling.

• If you are facing barriers to care, like a lack of providers accepting new patients or long wait times to see someone
• A busy schedule that makes it difficult to get to appointments during typical office hours
• You feel more comfortable expressing yourself in writing

Virtual counseling allows you to connect with licensed therapists via video calls, phone calls or text messaging – offering the same quality care, with added convenience and flexibility.

Access these options by logging into myCigna.com, clicking the Find Care and Costs menu and under Other Virtual Care choose Counseling to review your options.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Don’t forget, with your Cigna Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you have additional access to virtual mental health care at no-cost with certain programs and providers using an EAP code. This includes access to counseling services, stress management resources, and referrals for additional care like home life needs, financial and legal assistance, and job and career support.  To access your EAP – login to myCigna.com, click on the Coverage menu and select Employee Assistance Program.

Unsure of what you need or struggling to find the right fit?

You can get confidential, live assistance at no cost from a Cigna Care Navigator 24/7/365 who will help you find the right solution to fit your needs. Learn about Care Navigators here.

Or complete a self-assessment at myCigna.com to get personalized recommendations based on how you are feeling and explore the options available with your plan on your own. Click on Mental Health Support option under the Wellness menu at myCigna to get started.

Resources from NAMI

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

« Back