If you or someone you know is having a crisis related to mental health, substance abuse, or a developmental disability, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
The 988 phone line serves all languages. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 911.
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
This September, help us raise awareness and provide support during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Together, we can break the stigma, offer hope, and ensure that everyone knows they are not alone. Let's work together to save lives and create a community that supports mental health and well-being for all.
SIGNIFICANCE
It's crucial to understand the prevalence of suicide and its widespread effects. By examining key statistics, we can gain insight into the scale of this issue and how it impacts everyone—individuals, families, and communities alike. According to the CDC,
Every 11 minutes
there is one death by suicide.
49,000
people died by suicide in 2022.
13.2 million
adults seriously thought about suicide in 2022.
1,624
people in Georgia died by suicide in 2022.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Have you heard of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national resource providing free and confidential emotional support 24/7 to individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. With over 200 local crisis centers across the United States, the Lifeline offers personalized care while adhering to national standards, ensuring that help is always available when you need it most.
Dialing 988 connects you directly with a trained counselor who can offer immediate assistance. The Lifeline's impact is significant, reaching countless individuals and saving lives through support. The Lifeline is committed to accessibility, providing equal access to all, including individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the Lifeline continuously evolves through the guidance of experts and those with lived experience, ensuring that its services remain effective and inclusive.
How to access:
- To chat with a crisis counselor online 24/7/365, click here.
To text with a crisis counselor, send a text to 988 on your phone. - For Veterans and Service Members, click here.
- Haga clic aquí para acceder al chat en español.
- For Deaf/Hard of hearing, click here.
- Find their website here.
- Encuentre su sitio web en español aquí.
WAYS TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE
It can be scary when someone you know is struggling, but you can be the difference in getting them the help they need. Below are a few ways that you can support them from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Asking “Are you thinking about suicide?” shows you're open to discussing suicide in a non-judgmental, supportive way. This direct approach can create a space for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and help determine the next steps. Other helpful questions include, “How do you hurt?” and “How can I help?”—but never promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret.
Equally important is to “Listen.” Take their answers seriously, especially if they mention thoughts of suicide. Listen to both their reasons for pain and any reasons they may have for living. Focus on their reasons for staying alive, not your own.
"Being there" for someone with thoughts of suicide can be life-saving. This could mean being physically present, talking on the phone, or finding other ways to show support. Your presence helps reduce isolation and increases their sense of belonging—both key factors in preventing suicide. It's essential to follow through on the support you offer and not make promises you can't keep. If you can't be physically present, help them identify others who can offer appropriate support.
Connectedness is a significant protective factor against suicide. It lowers feelings of hopelessness and psychological pain, which can be pivotal in preventing thoughts of suicide from escalating to action.
By simply being there, you have the opportunity to alleviate or eliminate some of the key risk factors associated with suicide, offering hope and support in a time of crisis.
After confirming suicidal thoughts, assess immediate safety by asking key questions: Have they attempted to harm themselves before? Do they have a specific, detailed plan? What is the timing and access to their method?
Understanding their plan and access helps gauge the risk level. If they have a detailed plan and immediate access to a lethal method, such as a firearm, urgent steps like contacting emergency services may be needed. Reducing access to lethal means can significantly lower suicide risk.
Help someone with suicidal thoughts connect to ongoing supports like the 988 Lifeline and other community resources. Discuss their current or past mental health care and explore options for professional help. Develop a safety plan together, including steps to take if they experience severe suicidal thoughts and a list of contacts for crisis moments.
Research shows that people who call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline often feel less depressed, less suicidal, and more hopeful after calls handled by trained counselors. These improvements are linked to supportive interventions, such as listening without judgment and creating a strong support network.
After initially helping someone with suicidal thoughts and connecting them with immediate support, be sure to follow up. Send a text, leave a message, or make a call to check in on their well-being. Use this opportunity to see if they need additional help or if there are any follow-through actions you promised but haven’t completed yet.
Following up can enhance their sense of connectedness and ongoing support. Evidence shows that even a simple gesture like a caring postcard can help reduce suicide risk. Studies also indicate that regular, supportive contact after acute care services can lower suicide rates, making follow-up a crucial element of effective suicide prevention. For more information, visit this page.
GET INVOLVED
Taking the time to learn about suicide prevention is crucial. By educating yourself on the warning signs, risk factors, and how to offer support, you become better equipped to recognize when someone may be in crisis. Understanding these aspects empowers you to take informed action, potentially saving lives. Look for trainings in your community, on our MYM page, or at The SAM Foundation. We also have a Verbal Intervention (VI) Training later this month!
Social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness during Suicide Prevention Month. By sharing information, resources, and personal stories, you can help break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open conversations. Your posts can offer hope, support, and direct people to the resources they need. Ways to promote this September:
Follow our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and share our images to your followers!
Find resources to post on the 988 Toolkit, NIMH Toolkit, the CDC Toolkit, and SAMSA Toolkit.
September 8th is the first annual 988 Day! Consider promoting this on your channels to raise awareness of this resource.
Consider donating to support programs and resources that save lives. Every donation, big or small, makes a significant impact.
Engagement is a crucial aspect of Suicide Prevention Month. Whether you're using the skills gained from training to support someone in need or sharing vital information with your community, actively engaging can make a huge impact. Some ways to engage this September:
Contact your local crisis center to volunteer.
Share your story and give hope to others.
Understand the warning signs and risk factors of suicide.
Look for volunteer opportunities at the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
Listen to anyone who needs to talk.
OUR FAVORITE RESOURCES
As the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people, Trevor's Project provides 24/7 support and information year round.
On their website, you can find counseling options, a resource center that covers a wide range of topics, and a space to find an online social community!
The SAM Foundation is committed to preventing suicide through education and support. By gathering a range of resources and specialized training programs, they empower community members to recognize the signs of crisis and intervene effectively. Their mission is to equip individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to make a difference, fostering a community of care and support that saves lives.
Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion
The Atlanta Center for Self Compassion was created to provide a safe space for everyone to be heard and offered hope. Through therapy, they teach individuals to be more gentle to themselves and to understand their emotions, allowing them to live the life they truly want to live. They have developed several resources and trainings on their website, including a FREE Self-Compassion course for anyone who wants to improve their mental health. Enroll HERE!
SEPTEMBER 2024 EVENTS
