Mental health is something I have struggled with throughout my life due to past trauma and I continue to battle with it everyday. If it’s not something you’ve experienced personally, perhaps you know someone that does. It can be debilitating to the point that it effects everything you do and many suffer in silence for fear of what will happen after asking for help. According to the World Health Organization, over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year. It is also the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds. September is National Suicide Prevention Month and today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Monday through Sunday this week is also National Suicide Prevention Week.
This issue is something that never goes away, but yet it sometimes feels to me that it’s constantly swept under the rug. We are conditioned to believe that you are supposed to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and carry on. In my own experience in the United States where your health insurance is typically tied to your job, getting help can also be difficult when the resources we need to utilize only have offices hours during the times you work. And if you don’t have health insurance, it can feel like you have absolutely no options. Because of this, I wanted to provide you with some information and resources that you may find useful.
If you don’t feel like this is something that applies to you, you never know when it could. I encourage you to please share these resources and spread the word. You never know who you might save.
Resources If You or Someone You Know is Struggling
If there is an emergency, you should always dial 911. With that being said, there are several different options you can reach out to that assist with suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is in a crisis or even if you think you might just need help, these resources can be used:
Lifelines By Phone:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network
- 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) (Veterans, press 1)
- SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse)
- 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
- 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
- 1-866-331-9474
- The Trevor Project
- 1-866-488-7386
Lifelines By Text:
- Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME to 741741
- Veteran’s Crisis Line
- Send a text to 838255
Additional Online Resources:
Resources for Finding Mental Health Care
If you heave health insurance, you can contact your insurance for help on finding a provider. I actually have done this myself and they were even able to find me a provider that offers Telemedicine appointments, something I found comfort in during the pandemic. You can also use the following online resources:
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Psychological Association
- National Association of Social Workers
- SAMHSA Mental Health Provider Locator
- Veterans Affairs
National Suicide Prevention Month: How You Can Help Someone In Need
Whether you know someone who is struggling right now or not, we can all help to prevent suicide. This year, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is using #BeThe1To to help spread the word about what we all can do to prevent suicide.
1. Ask
Studies have shown that if we acknowledging and opening the conversation may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation. Researchers have found that people who are having these thoughts feel relief when someone asks about them in caring way.
2. Be There
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline notes that people more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by after speaking to someone who listens without judgment. I’ve emphasized the without judgement, because this really is so important.
3. Keep Them Safe
Studies have found that when the means to commit suicide are made less available or less lethal, suicide rates by that method decline. In turn, frequently suicide rates overall decline.
4. Help Them Stay Connected
Research has shown that helping an at risk person create a network of resources and individuals can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness. The resources I listed above are a good place to start.
5. Follow Up
According to what studies have found, brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
6. Learn More
The official website for #BeThe1To has additional information that can be helpful. You can find that here. They also have a list of how to adjust these steps for social distancing guidelines.
