Mental health organizations around the country recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month during the month of September each year. Understanding and awareness of suicide in order to prevent it is something we need to be doing every day. Talking to a counselor about any questions you have about how to help support others or how to get help for yourself is a great place to start.
ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IN CRISIS?
You are not alone, and help is available. If you are located within the U.S., visit The Lifeline.
Suicide Awareness
From the American Counseling Association
“Despite outdated misperceptions, suicide is neither a personal failure nor the evidence of mental illness, but rather a common human response to difficult environmental factors and emotional pain. Improving life circumstances, enhancing social connection and reducing emotional pain are the most effective ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of suicidal thoughts and feelings.”
Credit: Bethe1to
Resources
If you need help, or know someone who does, the following resources are available:
- TheLifeline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones
#BeThe1To
#BeThe1To is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline is working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope.
- Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press Option 1
- Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a crisis-intervention hotline that conducts conversations exclusively by text message. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day. - CrisisNOW
CrisisNOW provides a roadmap to safe, effective crisis care. Their goal is to keep people out of emergency rooms or jails by providing targeted services for people in distress. - SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
- Mental Health – Warm Lines
Warm lines are confidential, peer-run listening lines staffed by people who have experienced mental health conditions themselves.