World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10 and awareness is crucial because suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, background or geography. It’s easy to feel that the topic of suicide is taboo. It’s hard for us to speak about it. But this has to change.
According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, every year more than 41,000 people die by suicide and the CDC states that approximately ten million adults self-reported serious thoughts of suicide. Leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. If we as a community start teaching the warning signs and where people can get help, we can save lives. Suicide can be prevented. Together we have to #BeThe1To ask. Ask at home, ask at work, ask a stranger if you feel there is a need. Let’s bring this topic out of the darkness and into the light. Helping those who are suffering to see that asking for help is a sign of strength.
It’s easy to make a difference, and we encourage you to #BeThe1To help make a change in suicide prevention.
- Ask: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Acknowledging and talking about suicide can actually reduce a person’s thoughts of taking action.
- Keep Safe: Put time and distance between the person and their chosen method, especially firearms and medications.
- Be there: Listen without judgment. And LISTEN.
- Help Them Stay Connected: Create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety, and allow the individual to take positive action in their life.
