September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention are important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.
This year’s theme is “Creating Hope Through Action.” The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about how taking action to prevent suicide can create hope and save lives. To make change happen, we will need to take action to shift our culture from silence and stigma, to encouragement, understanding, and support. Each week we will highlight different ways to Create Hope Through Action.
Week 1 – Learn the Warning Signs: Hope Begins With Awareness.
We all have mental health and it’s as essential to a person’s life as physical health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and shapes how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
It can be hard to tell if someone is thinking about suicide. However, there are some signs you can look for that may help you recognize if a person may be thinking about harming themselves. Warning signs can come up in conversation or through action and behavior changes. Most people who die by suicide have one or more warning signs. Think of a warning sign as an invitation to help.
What they might talk about: Wanting to die. Feeling hopeless or helpless. Having no purpose or reason to live. Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain. Being a burden to others. Suicide. What they might do: Looking for ways to harm or end their life. Increase their alcohol or drug use. Withdraw from normal activities. Change in sleep, like sleeping too little or too much. Give away possessions. What behavior changes they may show: Anxiety or agitation. Extreme mood swings. Uncontrolled anger or talking about seeking revenge. Reckless behavior.
- Learn how to talk about mental health and suicide and identify and support individuals who are struggling or having suicidal experiences. Starting the conversation around mental health and suicide doesn’t have to be difficult. Seize the Awkward is a resource with signs that a person may be struggling, has opening lines to help make starting the conversation easier, tips for support, and where to get help.
- We are less alone when we turn to each other. The Mental Health Coalition has tips for fostering connection and how to find people to connect through technology.
- Sometimes it is hard to know when you need to connect with someone to support you with your mental health. If you want to learn more about when you may need to reach out, check out My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? from the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Learn about and promote resources available in Minnesota. 211 United Way is an easy to remember number Minnesotans can call to get free and confidential health and human services information.
- Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, health care provider, or counselor. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress. You can reach them by calling or texting 988. Or you can use the 988 Online Chat feature.
That’s all I have for this week! Stay tuned for weekly key messages and resources throughout the month that can help you or others during a mental health crisis. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You are never alone in your journey. Help is always available and healing is possible!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~