September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This month is a call to action to bring awareness to suicide prevention. The United States implemented the emergency Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone number across all states in 2022. By dialing 988 those experiencing a crisis can access 24/7 free and confidential support, giving greater access to help across the nation.
The goal for this month is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to talk openly about suicide prevention, recognize warning signs, and seek help. Suicide is far too often met with silence, stigma, or shame; however this should never be a response to someone’s pain. Break the silence by asking someone about how they are really feeling and then respond with a genuine listening ear. This can save a life.
Conversations can be awkward if you don’t know what to say. You don’t have to have all the right words but, having a few conversation starters handy can help you get started in bringing up your concerns:
- “Seems like something’s up. Do you want to talk about what’s going on?
- “I’ve noticed you’ve been down lately. What’s going on?
- “Hey, we haven’t talked in a while. How are you?
These conversation starters and more can be found at https://seizetheawkward.org/; a website dedicated to suicide prevention and practical ways to help. The website has resources and information about warning signs that are helpful for all to know. Some warning signs of a psychiatric crisis are:
- Being more irritable than usual
- Not functioning like their usual selves (changes in their appearance, changes in eating or sleep habits, etc.)
- Talking directly about suicide, no longer wanting to live, or no longer wanting to be here
- Increase in use of substances
- Giving away personally valuable possessions
- Saying good-bye to family and friends
If you notice the warning signs, expressing support and concern is a way to help. Calling the Crisis Lifeline together is one practical step forward. Another measure to take is to learn more about suicide prevention from organization like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Support can come from a community of supportive friends, family, and professionals. Professional help from a psychotherapist can validate their feelings, recognize unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, and teach coping skills for an improved quality of life. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom. Symptoms can be treated. There is hope for healing even the greatest of pain.
