Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay.
This week is #NationalSuicidePreventionWeek.
September is #SuicidePreventionAwarenessMonth.
During this time of year, there are many opportunities to get involved in suicide prevention and awareness events!
Take time to educate yourself on Suicide Prevention. The topic is often avoided, yet this avoidance can be costly. Progress cannot be made without having difficult discussions.
Lived Experience
“This study demonstrates that reading user-generated narratives about experiences with and recovery from suicidal thoughts/behaviors may be an effective and scalable way to help people experiencing suicidal thoughts.”
(Franz et al., 2022)
As shown by this study (https://lnkd.in/euxQHFUZ), stories of Lived Experience can be powerful and healing.
Also, use this time to elevate the voices of others. There are ways to incorporate Lived Experience into your advocacy efforts! https://lnkd.in/eqqMNpNB
Telling your own story about suicidality or suicide loss is a very personal choice. If you choose to do so, there are some resources that can help guide you. https://lnkd.in/eBHVEVT7
Resources
You should familiarize yourself with national and local crisis resources!
A few are listed below (from ECU’s Urgent Support Services page):
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly National Suicide Prevention Lifeline): 1-800-273-8255 or chat online
- Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 from anywhere in the U.S. about any type of crisis
- National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-4372
- The Steve Fund (specific to young people of color): text STEVE to 741741
- The Trevor Project (specific to LGBTQ+): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-779-7233
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press ‘1’ or text 838255; for deaf and hard of hearing call 1-800-799-4889
- Your local hospital Emergency Department or calling 911
Safety Planning
A “safety plan” is a great resource/tool for those who have suicidal thoughts!
NOTE: Safety plans are NOT the same as “no-suicide contracts”… Such contracts “have no empirical support for their effectiveness in the clinical environment.”
For those interested in suicide safety plans, there are numerous resources online.
I’ll link a few below:
Are you involved in suicide prevention advocacy? How? Let me know in the comments section below!
The Calculating Mind 