Date: 9/7/2021
Preventing suicide is a fundamental commitment of the Mental Health Association (MHA). As an organization dedicated to mental health, we are in a unique position to raise the topic, share information and encourage open conversations. Each year during September, which is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we embrace the opportunity to educate our community about things we all can do to be more aware of the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicidal behavior. We share ideas for how to be there – for our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers – to prevent suicide.
One positive result of such ongoing suicide prevention awareness efforts is that more and more people are seeking help for themselves or others. That’s huge! It demonstrates that as a community, people are showing more resiliency themselves and more willingness to be there for others. More people now know to bring someone in crisis to the emergency room. More people now know about the suicide prevention Lifeline – 800-273-TALK (8255) – that connects callers immediately to local help and support. More community-based suicide prevention initiatives now include people who have survived suicide attempts, adding a peer counseling element through folks whose experience and understanding can provide a sympathetic ear to someone having suicidal thoughts. This focus of engaging peers has been growing recently not only in the US but in other countries, too.
At MHA, one way we continue to embrace a systematic, agency-wide approach to suicide prevention is through Zero Suicide, a toolkit specifically designed for health and behavioral health care. An MHA team attended the Zero Suicide Academy and was trained to successfully implement Zero Suicide at MHA for the benefit of every member of our staff and every person we serve. As a result, MHA can train our entire staff so everyone who could interact with the folks we serve will have basic tools to recognize a potential problem and help.
Hopefully, you’re now wondering what you can do to be there to prevent suicide. Start by making a commitment to learn the risk factors and warning signs. Join with MHA and the national suicide prevention services that are sharing this information all month – and all year.
If you are worried that someone in your family, workplace or community is a risk of suicide, be there. It could be as simple as checking in, especially with those who may feel isolated by the pandemic’s social constraints. Send a text, make a call, invite them for coffee, whatever it takes to be there. Try this:
• Ask them, “How are you?” Importantly, this isn’t a question they can answer “yes” or “no,” so it gives them a chance to explain. Once you’ve asked, listen.
• Tell them, “I care.”
• Assure them, “It’s OK to ask for help…asking for help shows strength.” (It does!)
• Help them to get help to prevent suicide.
By simply checking in with them and offering non-judgmental support, you can make a difference – and maybe save a life.
Keep in mind that suicide is a complex issue with no single cause. People wonder, how did we not know, how did we not see? Even if it’s the person who makes you laugh the most, like Robin Williams who lived his life providing such joy to others, you may never know what someone is feeling inside unless you ask. All year long, and especially during September, MHA is encouraging everyone to ask, listen and offer nonjudgmental support. Be there to prevent suicide.
If you or someone you care about having thoughts of suicide, call the national suicide prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
To learn more, get help or start a conversation, call BestLife at 844-MHA-WELL.
Sara Kendal
Vice President of Clinical Operations for the Mental Health Association
