Our trained counselors are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — because crisis doesn’t keep office hours. You are not alone.
Who We Are
For over 50 years — since May of 1970 — CCSI’s crisis hotline has been answering one of the most important calls anyone can make. What started as a single suicide prevention hotline has grown into a comprehensive crisis center serving thousands of individuals and families each year across Prince George’s County and beyond.
Today, CCSI averages 125 calls per day across three suicide prevention hotlines and is one of only six regional backup centers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Our fully trained counselors wear many hats — they may answer a call from a veteran considering suicide, a young mother in a domestic violence situation, or a family in desperate need of shelter.
In addition to our hotline, CCSI now offers ASL Video Phone Services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers, and Behavioral Health Diversion services — connecting people experiencing a mental health crisis with appropriate care instead of the criminal justice system.
“Hotline, how may I help you?” — Six simple words that can change a life. Our counselors are here 24/7/365 for people experiencing crisis.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out immediately. Help is available right now.
Our Impact
Every number below represents a real person who reached out in their darkest moment — and found someone ready to listen.
988 Lifeline
CCSI’s suicide prevention hotline has been saving lives since 1970. Our compassionate, fully trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide immediate support, crisis intervention, and connection to resources for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health or substance use crisis, or any kind of emotional distress.
CCSI serves as one of only six regional backup centers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — meaning when other centers are overwhelmed, calls are routed to our team. We are also a key partner in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which allows anyone in the U.S. to call, text, or chat 988 to reach immediate support. 988 is free and confidential.
Our overnight call rate has increased by over 200% — a reminder of how critical this service is and how many lives depend on our counselors picking up the phone.
Know the Signs
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs, help is available. Please call or text 988 immediately.
Accessible Services
CCSI is committed to making crisis support accessible to everyone — including members of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Our ASL (American Sign Language) Video Phone Services allow Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to connect directly with a crisis counselor through video technology.
No one in crisis should face a barrier to getting help. Whether you communicate through sign language, text, or voice — CCSI has a way to reach you. Our ASL Video Phone line is available as part of our 24/7 crisis support services.
This service ensures that members of the Deaf community have equal access to the same compassionate, life-saving support that we provide to all callers — because a crisis doesn’t wait, and neither should you.
Crisis Diversion
CCSI’s Behavioral Health Diversion program serves as an alternative to contacting 911 for urgent behavioral health matters. Urgent behavioral matters can include imminent thoughts of suicide, mental health crisis, substance use crisis, or significant emotional distress.
Available resources through this program include connection to a trained crisis specialist, access to same-day and next-day behavioral health providers, requests to the mobile response team, and more. Through this program, 911 will warm transfer qualifying calls directly to 988 — and Public Safety officials can also request the diversion team directly.
This program reflects CCSI’s commitment to a more compassionate, community-centered approach to crisis response — one that treats mental health crises as health emergencies, not criminal incidents.
Connecting individuals in behavioral health crisis with trained counselors instead of law enforcement — prioritizing care over criminalization.
Our counselors coordinate with mental health providers, community organizations, and support services to ensure every caller gets appropriate follow-up care.
Trained crisis counselors assess each situation, provide immediate de-escalation support, and create a plan to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing.
Why This Work Matters
Understanding the scope of suicide is essential to preventing it. These facts underscore why CCSI’s crisis hotline is such a vital resource for our community.
Maryland averages 10 deaths per 100,000 individuals yearly to suicide. The cost of suicide and suicide attempts is over $93 billion in medical care alone.
Roughly 22 veterans take their own lives daily due to high rates of PTSD, injury, and depression. CCSI is here for every veteran who calls.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10–24. More teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, and stroke combined.
Community Education
CCSI offers community training programs that equip individuals, professionals, and organizations with the tools to recognize and respond to suicide risk. Together, we can save more lives.
A half-day interactive course to become a suicide alert helper. Learn to recognize warning signs and connect people at risk with life-saving intervention. Ages 15 and up.
A two-day interactive session where participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. In-depth, practical, and powerful. Ages 16 and up.
A one-day workshop for clinicians and other professional caregivers who work with persons recently at risk of — and currently safe from — suicide.
Get Involved
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out right now. Our counselors are standing by — compassionate, trained, and ready to help.