Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Mental health topics are too often stigmatized and labeled as sensitive subjects that should only be spoken about in private. While everyone is entitled to discrepancy, there is a certain acknowledgment of mental health issues that needs to happen. Issues like depression and suicide would benefit from more candid and open discussions as they would be shown as not something to be shamed but something to be explored.

September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness month across the nation. Its purpose is to shed light on what is a heavily stigmatized and shamed subject. However, with suicide being the tenth leading cause of death, according to Psychology Today, raising awareness and providing easier access to educational resources as well as a way to seek help can make a much-needed difference.

Someone who is thinking about suicide may not show a dramatic change in demeanor. They may not seem distressed or any different than they were the day before. This is what makes suicide so deadly, its ability to hide in plain sight. While it is not guaranteed that the person may show signs, there are a few clues that can be your cue to speak up.

The clearest or obvious warnings would be talking about suicide or death, feelings of hopelessness, extreme depression, guilt, or shame. More subtle warnings could be withdrawn from usual activities or close friends and family as well as trouble sleeping or decreased self-care.

If you know someone who you think might be contemplating suicide, you can help them but doing these three things—ask, care, and keep them safe.

Sometimes, asking is all you need to do to help someone unload their emotional burden. Whether they just needed someone to listen to them or show interest in their well-being, asking is a solid first step. The next step is to care, which entails you being a judgment-free zone and working to listen rather than give advice. Not everybody wants others’ opinions and can feel hurt or criticized greatly by having unsolicited opinions thrown at them, especially during an emotionally and mentally sensitive time.

The last step should be performed with care as it can be taken the wrong way. Keeping someone safe from themselves can be a tricky task, not only because you cannot separate them from their destructive tendencies but because they may feel insulted or embarrassed to need supervision. After the immediate threat, if present, is disposed of, avoid emphasizing your focus on the person’s safety. If it is made the focus of your future interactions, the trust given to you may start to crumble and you may not be someone they can go to for help anymore.

All in all, if you know of someone who may be suicidal, make sure you check up on them and make your positive presence known. As long as you follow up and continue to show your care for them, you can be sure that you are doing all that you can.

For more immediate assistance, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800-273-TALK (8255) or text NAMI at 741-741. Both services are 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. For more resources, check the “resources” tab on the menu selection.