Category: Awareness

September is here and that means Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is upon us.  It’s a cause that is very near and dear to my heart and one that I will always advocate for.  It is a month to remember the lives lost, the millions of people who struggle, and those that have been impacted.  Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, this 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!

The theme of this post is CONNECTION. According to the CDC, connectedness may protect against suicidal behaviors. Connection decreases isolation and encourages healthy coping behaviors. Connection can be found within oneself, within relationships, and within community.

CONNECTION FOR OURSELVES. Connection is not just nice to have, but it is essential to health and well-being. People with meaningful social connections have less stress, better sleep, healthier habits and behaviors, a sense of belonging, and better overall health that can lead to a longer life. Connecting can be as deep as a heart-to-heart conversation, or as simple as sharing a “hello” and a smile. Meaningful connections come from people like family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Connection can look like someone willing to help you with a task or someone who listens and validates your feelings. Maybe someone can give you a different perspective than your own or provide advice and support for something you are struggling with. While there are no official guidelines to forming new connections, here are some suggestions for finding and fostering connection with others.

• Start a conversation. Talk to people that you already know and build upon that relationship. Take the time to authentically get to know your co-workers.
• Join a club or enroll in a class that intrigues you. The people that will be there will already share a common interest with you.
• Get involved in your community. Attend events and do things that you have not tried before.
• Explore opportunities to serve and help others. Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities that can give you the chance to contribute to something that you find important.

Sometimes it is hard to know when you need to connect with someone to support you with your mental health. Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a friend, a family member, a health care provider or by using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

CONNECTING WITH LOVED ONES. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, connecting with them can be the difference in getting them the help they need. Talking to a loved one about mental health and suicide can be uncomfortable, but it is also one of the best ways to prevent it. We can all take action to have these conversations with someone who may be suicidal by using these five action steps from #BeThe1To.

• Ask. Findings suggest that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation.
• Keep them safe. Knowing the answers to the questions can tell us about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in.
• Be there. Connecting and limiting their isolation has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
• Help them connect. Work with them to develop a safety plan to guide them through crisis, keep them safe, and get them help.
• Stay connected. Make sure to follow up with them to see how they’re doing. This is a great time to see if there is anything else that you can do to support them.

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY. While we trust our closest friends, family and loved ones, the broader community where we live, work and play also contribute to our feeling of connection. Communities can provide us with an emotional connection with people who share similar experiences. It can also bring a feeling of belonging, a sense of support, and a way to have our voices heard and valued by a wider group of people. Surrounding people and families with neighborhoods, businesses, and services is a critical way to support every person. Communities that work collectively in an intentional and proactive way is vital to creating the changes needed to increase social connectedness and belonging.

While formal programs and policies can be impactful, the norms and culture of how we engage one another, significantly influence social connection. In addition to this culture, here are additional ideas that organizations and communities can consider.

• Cultivate values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another.
• Model connection values in positions of leadership and influence.
• Create opportunities and spaces for social connection.
• Offer community-based education, skill-building classes, and encourage attendance at social events and volunteerism.
• Actively seek and build partnerships with a variety of community institutions, like schools, health organizations, and workplaces. This can create a culture of connection with the broader community and support those who may be struggling with isolation, their mental health, or having thoughts of suicide.
• Know what supports are available for people who need it and provide resources and support to promote mental health and well-being and prevent suicide.
• Expand conversations on the importance of social connections where we live, work, learn and play.

CONNECTION TO HOPE AND HEALING. When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Finding hope and healing can be found in many places and comes in many forms to give you the type of support that you need. People you already have a connection with is often a good place to start. This could be your friends and family, a co-worker, your primary care doctor, or someone else that you can trust. Sometimes it is nice to know you are not alone in your struggle. Having peer support can be a great way to connect with others that may have similar experiences as you. If you are unsure about what to do and need to talk to someone, try a local or national phone line to get assistance. This could be calling one of Minnesota’s warm lines or attending a support group. They have trained counselors available to speak with you or your loved one and assist. Professional help can make a big difference, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start. Ask for referrals from your family, friends, physician, or other people you trust. Another starting point is to call the number on the back of your insurance card. They can help you identify what providers are a part of your plan.

People finding hope and healing is happening every single day. Exploring stories of how others have found hope and healing can also be a powerful way to learn how others have found ways to cope with life’s struggles. Even if you’re not sure that you would benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore your different possibilities.

Until next month, stay happy, healthy and safe! ~Sally~

Better late than never!  It took me way too long to prepare an August post, but I’m back!  You would think someone who has been on a mental health journey for more than half her life, and writing about it for nearly three years, would have no trouble at all finding a topic for this month’s blog post.  Well, not this gal.  My brain is either frazzled with anxiety, foggy with depression, or all of the above and wants to shut down completely.  The struggle is absolutely real and you are never alone when it comes to your mental health journey.

I took the month of July off to sort of re-group and get back into the blogging groove.  In June, I wrote about grief and your mental health.  That’s pretty much what my July was filled with.  Grief.  The intense pain and sadness while mourning the loss of my best friend was almost unbearable, and really took a toll on my mental health and well-being.  If you are local, you may know that the community of Pipestone lost a young, forty-five year old wife and mother of six children to Metastatic Breast Cancer.  She was diagnosed after her very first mammogram at the age of forty and fought the disease for almost five years.  Although there was no cure, her treatments prolonged her life as long as she could tolerate.  She had amazing strength and will forever be loved and missed!

That brings me to this month’s mental health check in post.  August is National Wellness Month, or also called Self-Awareness Month.  This month is observed to remind us to promote healthy routines, manage our stress, and focus on self-care.  It is the perfect time to focus on taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally.  These three things will definitely go hand in hand.  If you are thriving with one, you are more than likely thriving with all.  But a simple setback, either physical or emotional, can really alter your mental clarity.

Let’s start with promoting healthy routines.  There is a long list of things we do on a daily basis that can be overwhelming.  Whether it is working, grocery shopping, cleaning, making sure you get the kids to school and practices on time, or even just getting enough sleep.  (Does anyone else do the “If I fall asleep right now, I’ll get this much sleep” math at night?)  There seems to never be enough time during the day and it can feel impossible to finish every task.  And if you already struggle with a mental health concern, like depression or anxiety, it can be even harder to take care of yourself.  Here are some tips for success from Mental Health America.  They also have a PDF from Tools 2 Thrive for Creating Healthy Routines.

• Create a routine that is right for you.  We don’t all have the same schedules and some of us struggle with certain parts of our day more than others.  Your routine may not be exactly the same every day, but all routines should include eating a nutritious diet, exercise, and getting enough sleep.
• Start small.  Changing your routine all at once probably won’t get lasting results.  Small changes add up.  It could be just adding something new and positive, or cutting out a bad habit.
• Make swaps.  Take away something that isn’t so healthy and swap it for a better behavior.  Do you feel sluggish in the afternoon and find yourself eating sugary snacks?  Try taking a brisk walk to get your blood pumping and your endorphins flowing.
• Plan ahead.  When life gets hectic, try doing things like meal prepping or picking out an outfit the night before work.  If you can’t make it to the gym, try a home workout instead.
• Reward yourself for small victories.  Set goals and celebrate when you reach them.  Have you worked out every day as planned?  Treat yourself!
• Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day.  Making changes is hard and you might forget to do something new once in a while.  You don’t have to be perfect, just try to do better the next day.

Next is managing stress.  Stress affects your entire body, both mentally and physically.  But when stress is intense and frequent, it can strain your body and make it impossible to function.  Some common signs include headaches, trouble sleeping, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and feeling overwhelmed.  Stress can contribute to worsening symptoms of your mental illness.  Knowing your triggers is the first step in coping with this experience.  Everyone has their own threshold.  Once you’ve learned what your triggers are, experiment with coping strategies.  Here are some ways to reduce stress from NAMI.

• Accept your needs.  Recognize what situations make you physically and mentally agitated.  Once you know this, you can avoid them when possible.
• Practice relaxation.  Take a break to refocus.  Deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation are good ways to calm yourself.
• Set aside time for yourself.  Schedule something that makes you feel good.  It might be a movie, a massage, or even just reading a book.
• Eat well.  Well-balanced and nutritious, like whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit.
• Get enough sleep.  Symptoms of some mental health conditions can be triggered by getting too little sleep.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs.  They don’t actually reduce stress.  In fact, it often will worsen it.
• Talk to someone.  Whether to family, friends, a counselor, or a support group, airing out and talking can help.

And finally, self-care.  Take the time to do things that help you improve both your physical and mental health.  Even small acts of self-care can have a big impact.  Here are some tips from the National Institute of Mental Health to help you get started.

• Get regular exercise.
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.
• Make sleep a priority.
• Try a relaxing activity.
• Set goals and priorities.
• Practice gratitude.
• Focus on positivity.
• Stay connected.

Self-care looks different for everybody.  It may take trial and error to find what works best for you.  Although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding your symptoms and coping techniques can help you manage your mental health.  Don’t wait until your symptoms are overwhelming.  If you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms, seek help.  Talk about your concerns with your primary care provider and they can refer you to a mental health professional, if needed.

Stay tuned for a September check in for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  In the meantime, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

It’s June.  School is out and the kids are on the go.  Summer activities are in full swing.  Vacations and holiday gatherings are being planned.  Pools are crowded with people cooling off in the heat.  Lakes are busy with swimming, boating, and fishing.  Campgrounds are bustling with outdoor activities.  Lots of fun and relaxing in the sun.  Summer is finally here.

For some, it may not be all fun in the sun.  For some, it will be filled with tears and memories or thoughts of what might have been.  The could’ve, would’ve, should’ve that never came about.  Anniversaries or birthdays without someone you will never forget. 

This month I am writing about grief and what it can do to your mental health and well-being.  The loss of a loved one is heartbreaking and can cause you to experience a long list of emotions.  This could include shock, confusion, sadness, or even anger.  Whether the death was expected or not, these feelings are all part of the mourning process and are common reactions to loss.  If you are coping with a loss, you may not be prepared for the intensity and duration of emotions or the changing of moods.  Some often question their mental stability, but just know that these feelings are appropriate and can help you come to terms with the loss.  It takes time, but coping with death is essential to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

Coping is a process and the extent of mourning will depend on the individual, the type of loss, and the void left by that loss.  When pain and sadness worsen over time, grief can have an intense effect on one’s physical and mental health.  Prolonged, chronic grief can lead to a complicated bereavement or grief disorder.  The symptoms can be intensive and can include constant focus on the loss, problems with daily routine, and withdrawal or separation from family and friends.

Diagnosing a grief disorder can be difficult.  If you have a history of depression, anxiety or substance abuse, you are at an increased risk of developing a grief disorder.  There are many similarities between complicated grief and depression, but there are also distinct differences. In some cases, clinical depression and complicated grief occur together. Getting the correct diagnosis is essential for treatment, so a comprehensive medical and psychological exam is often done.  Your doctor or mental health professional considers your particular symptoms and circumstances in determining what treatment is likely to work best for you.  This can include psychotherapy or medication.  Antidepressants may be helpful in people who have clinical depression as well as complicated grief.

Although it’s important to get professional treatment for complicated grief, here are some key strategies that may help you cope:

• Stick to your treatment plan.  Attend therapy appointments as scheduled and take medications, if needed, as directed.
• Practice stress management.  Unmanaged stress can lead to depression, overeating, and other unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
• Take care of yourself.  Get rest, eat healthy, and take time to relax.  Regular exercise and physical activity can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.  Don’t turn to alcohol or recreational drugs to cope.
• Socialize.  Stay connected to the people that care about you.  They can offer support, a shoulder to cry on, or shared laughter to give you a little boost.
• Plan ahead for special dates or anniversaries.  These can trigger painful reminders of your loved one.  Find new ways to celebrate or reminisce about your loved one to provide you comfort and hope.
• Join a support group.  Over time, you may find shared experiences comforting and you may form meaningful new relationships.

Grief is definitely a long, winding road and a difficult journey to be on.  It is not a feeling that you will experience for a set amount of time.  It is a complex set of multiple emotions and feelings that will continue for the rest of your life.  People tend to believe that grief shrinks over time.  What really happens is that we grow around our grief.  I will end with a photo that has helped me during my journey.  It was shared in one of my online support groups.

Stay happy, healthy, and safe!

~Sally~

Survivor. (noun) A person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died. The remainder of a group of people or things. A person who copes well with difficulties in their life.

Fighter. (noun) A boxer. An aircraft designed to seek out and destroy enemy aircraft in the air and to protect bomber aircraft. A person who fights, struggles, resists, etc. A person with the will, courage, determination, ability, or disposition to fight, struggle, resist, etc. An animal, as a dog, trained to fight or having the disposition to fight.

Advocate. (noun) A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. (verb) Publicly recommend or support.

With Mental Health Awareness Month coming to an end, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Sally Whittle and I am the face and voice of mental health here at Meinders Library. Why, you ask? Because I am all three of those things listed above. I am a survivor because I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety, and for many years, my brain was trying to kill me. I am a fighter because I still struggle with symptoms that make my daily living a rollercoaster and I sometimes can’t function. I am an advocate because I am raising awareness about mental health. Doing so can make the difference in the life of someone struggling and can also save lives.

Let’s recap the messages from this month. Week one was Mental Health Matters. There are many things that can fuel stigma around mental illness. That can make people ignore their mental health or make it harder for them to reach out for help. Some mental health conditions are invisible and you wouldn’t know the person is struggling without asking and having a conversation. Mental health matters and so do you!

Week two was Self Care. Remember, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Make self-care a priority. When it comes to mental health, self-care can help us manage stress, lower the risk of illness, and increase energy. Even small acts of self-care in our daily routine can have a big impact. Something as simple as a walk or chatting with a friend can make a huge difference.

Week three was Finding Help. There is no shame in seeking help for your mental health. It’s OK to not be OK. Start by talking with family and friends, or establishing care with your family doctor. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a difference. It may save your life. Just know you are not alone, there is help available, and healing is possible.

Week four was Supporting Someone Else. Everyone can play a role in supporting mental health. If you notice someone may be struggling or having a hard time, ask “How are you?” and encourage honest answers. This provides the opportunity for others to share and feel heard. Often, just talking about it can be the first step in staying connected and helping get the support or treatment needed.

I hope my posts have helped spread awareness and spark conversation on this important and very stigmatized topic. As a way to promote mental health awareness year-round, I will be posting on a related topic once a month. If there is a specific topic you would like me to cover, please leave a comment or send an email to pipestonelibrary@yahoo.com and I will consider your request. In the meantime, stay happy, healthy, and safe!

~Sally~

Check in on your friends and family. Offering support is one of the best things that we can do to get them through difficult times. However, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable, daunting, or just plain awkward. The Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends gives ideas on what support can look like, how to offer support, and where to begin.

Having conversations around mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it can also make a big difference. Not sure where to start? Check out these tips and tools from Seize the Awkward to help you start the conversation and what to do during and after the conversation.

If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you matter and can be the difference in getting them the help that they need. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has resources on what to look for and how you can help them.

Check in on your friends and family. If you notice someone is behaving differently or seems distressed, do not be afraid to ask if they are struggling or having thoughts about suicide. Talking openly about mental health and suicide can help create an honest conversation and connection.

Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected with our community. No one should feel alone or without the information, support, and help they need.

Each Wednesday during the month of May, I will highlight a book that is available for check out at the library. Thanks to a generous donation, we were able to add 8 new titles that feature mental health.

You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health by Ken Duckworth, MD

The following excerpt is from the book cover. You can click this link to find this title in our online catalog.

Written with authority and compassion, this is the essential resource for individuals and families seeking expert guidance on diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, featuring inspiring, true stories from real people in their own words.

Millions of people in the United States are affected by mental illness every year, and the Covid-19 pandemic only further exposed the shortcomings of the American mental health system. Too many are confused, afraid, and overwhelmed, with many asking themselves the same questions: What does it mean when different doctors give me different diagnoses? What if my insurance won’t cover my treatment? Will I ever feel better? Families and friends are often left in the dark about how best to help their loved ones, from dealing with financial and logistical issues, to handling the emotional challenges of loving someone who is suffering.

You Are Not Alone is here to offer help. Written by Dr. Ken Duckworth with the wisdom of a psychiatrist and the vulnerability of a peer, this comprehensive guide centers the poignant lived experiences of over 125 individuals from across the country whose first-person stories illustrate the diversity of mental health journeys. This book also provides:

• Practical guidance on dealing with a vast array of mental health conditions and navigating care
• Research-based evidence on what treatments and approaches work
• Insight and advice from renowned clinical experts and practitioners

This singular resource—the first book from the National Alliance on Mental Illness—is a powerful reminder that help is here, and you are never alone.

About the author:

Ken Duckworth, MD, is the chief medical officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and has worked with NAMI since 2003. Ken is board certified in adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, and is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He was previously acting commissioner and medical director at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Ken has worked on an assertive community treatment team, at an early psychosis program, at an elementary school, at a health plan, and with people who are unhoused. His passion for this work comes from his loving dad who had bipolar disorder. Ken lives with his family in Boston.

Here are a few other titles that are part of our mental health collection and available for check out.

• Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life – Christie Tate
• How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me: One Person’s Guide to Suicide Prevention – Susan Rose Blauner, MSW, LCSW
• Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide – Kay Redfield Jamison
• Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir – Tyler Feder

Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

As we continue with Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be posting weekly key messages, along with statistics and resources, so that you can advocate and also raise awareness around mental health. By learning the facts and sharing the resources, you can make a difference in the life of someone struggling.

Week 4 Message: Supporting Someone Else

If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you can be the difference in getting them the help they need. Support leads to greater wellness by:

• Building connection, which is an antidote to stress.
• Creating increased vulnerability with someone else, which strengthens a bond.
• Fostering the feeling that you are not alone.
• Providing a space to gain perspective on the difficulty you’re experiencing.

To provide support, it starts with being an active listener. This is more than hearing what someone has to say, it is being present with them and asking open-minded questions to get more details about what they are experiencing. It is natural to try and share your own story to let them know that you have gone through something similar, just be careful not to compare because it can make someone feel like their pain isn’t valid. Sometimes people are struggling because of a mistake that they made. You may think that they are overreacting. Nevertheless, they are still feeling these feelings. It is also important to not judge and put your personal opinions and biases aside.

We often feel like we need to find a solution to what they are experiencing, but that may not be what they want. It is important to ask what you can do to support them. Processing what they are going through and letting them know that you are there to walk alongside them can be powerful. Finally, if you have offered your support to someone and told them you would do something, keep your word. When a person is struggling, the last thing they need is to feel abandoned by someone else.

Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

When you are struggling, friends and family can be a great support system, but sometimes it is hard to ask for help. In fact, we should talk about our feelings. It is OK not to be OK. Reach out to friends, family, neighbors, a warm line, or a crisis line if you want to talk. Know that you are not alone, help is available, and healing can happen.

Sometimes it is hard to know when you need extra help with your mental health. If you don’t know where to start, this info graphic from the National Institute of Mental Health may help guide you!

Warm lines and peer support can be valuable for those who are managing stress. You do not need to be in immediate crisis to call the warm line. Anyone seeking support may call the Minnesota Warm Line for peer support connection. For more information, visit Wellness in the Wood: Transforming Wellness into Reality. Mental Health Minnesota also offers a warm line.

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected with our community. No one should feel alone or without the information, support, and help they need.

Each Wednesday during the month of May, I will highlight a book that is available for check out at the library. Thanks to a generous donation, we were able to add 8 new titles that feature mental health.

Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me: Depression in the First Person by Anna Mehler Paperny.

The following excerpt is from the book cover. You can click this link to find this title in our online catalog.

Depression is a havoc-wreaking illness that masquerades as personal failing and hijacks the lives of approximately seventeen million adults in the US in any given year. After a major suicide attempt in her early twenties, award-winning journalist Anna Mehler Paperny resolved to put her reporter’s skills to use to get to know her enemy, setting off on a journey to understand her condition, the dizzying array of medical treatments on offer, and a medical profession in search of answers.

With courageous honesty and uncommon eloquence, she maps competing schools of therapy, pharmacology, cutting-edge medicine, the pill-popping pitfalls of long-term treatment, the glaring unknowns, and the institutional shortcomings that both patients and practitioners are up against. She interviews leading medical experts across the US and Canada, from psychiatrists to neurologists, brain-mapping pioneers to family practitioners, and others dabbling in strange hypotheses — and shares compassionate conversations with fellow sufferers.

Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me tracks Anna’s quest for knowledge and her desire to get well. Impeccably reported, it is a profoundly compelling story about the human spirit and the myriad ways we treat (and fail to treat) the disease that accounts for more years swallowed up by disability than any others in the world.

About the author:

Anna Mehler Paperny is a Toronto-based reporter for Reuters. She was previously a staff reporter at The Globe and Mail and a reporter-editor for Global News. Her work on Canadian prison deaths won the RTDNA Dan McArthur Award for investigative journalism.

Here are a few other titles that are part of our mental health collection and available for check out.

• Helping Others With Depression – Susan J. Noonan, MD, MPH
• Whispers: The Voices of Paranoia – Ronald K. Siegel
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone – Lori Gottlieb

Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

As we continue with Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be posting weekly key messages, along with statistics and resources, so that you can advocate and also raise awareness around mental health. By learning the facts and sharing the resources, you can make a difference in the life of someone struggling.

Week 3 Message: Finding Help

When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Where you go for help will depend on what is occurring within your life. Often the best place to start is to talk with those that you already have a connection with, including your friends and family, your primary care doctor, your spiritual advisor, or a local mental health organization.

Help can be found in many places and depends on what type of support you may need. It can start with participating in some self-care or engaging with family and friends. You may need someone else to help you process, find a distraction, or problem solve. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. Even if you’re not sure that you would benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore the possibility.

Engaging in more formal services can help you

• Develop plans for resolving problems
• Feel stronger in the face of challenges
• Change behaviors that hold you back
• Look at ways of thinking that affect how you feel
• Heal pains from your past
• Figure out your goals
• Build self-confidence

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

Stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~