National Suicide Prevention Month

National Suicide Prevention Month is tomorrow, September 1, 2022.  It’s a day to bring awareness to this epidemic and to try to help those around us.

Suicide Facts

Over 40,000 people commit suicide in the US each year.  That’s a lot of people who have been suffering and have decided to take matters into their own hands to end that suffering.  In fact, female suicides increased by half in the first 16 years of the millennium.  It doesn’t matter what race, gender, or economic background you are, depression can hit anyone.  It’s the depression that can lead to suicide.  That is not something we should be comfortable with.

This is why it’s a good idea to bring awareness to Suicide during National Suicide Prevention Month!

National Suicide Prevention Month

The reason it is good to have an entire month to talk about suicide is that it helps us become aware.  Be aware of the people around you and be aware that they could be in pain and suffering mentally.  When we see someone in pain physically, it’s easier for us to understand but when we can’t see the ailment and only the actions of someone, it’s easy to walk away.  Having the understanding that someone may be suffering on the inside can bring compassion and maybe even a listening ear.  That doesn’t fix the epidemic but it gets us on a path to.  Lend someone a helping hand.  Reach out.

What can you do to help?

So, what can you do to help during National Suicide Prevention Month – or really any day?  Understand.  What do I mean by this?  Understand that people have things going on that you may not be unaware of.  Knowing this may make you think twice about judging someone and deciding to walk away.  It may help you to be just a little kinder in this world and it may make the difference for someone who feels that no one cares about them.

And, if you know of someone who is suffering from depression, reach out to them; talk to them.  Encourage them to get help.  Let them know that you value them and their life.  Don’t forget about them because one attempt doesn’t fix it.

What can you do if you are the one suffering?

If you are the one suffering from depression and have been thinking about suicide, you’re not alone.  It may be hard to understand that you are valued in this world and that you mean something to someone – but this is only temporary.  Trust me.  No matter what is going on inside you, it can be overcome.  I promise you.  You are a valuable person.

Call the Suicide and Prevention line – they actually now have a shorter number:  988 to make it easier to get help.  Call them for help.

Another thing that is helpful is to write your thoughts down by keeping a journal.  This may sound silly but it does actually help.  It helps because you get your thoughts on paper and it helps to understand your feelings.  It doesn’t make the feelings go away but it helps in the processing of those feelings.  When you process your feelings, you can deal with them better.

For some nice journals, you can try the happinessproject.com.  One of my favorite journals that they have is the ‘Know yourself better’ journal.

Also, I know that it is hard to get out when you are depressed but being out in nature can help your mindset.  I do understand that this is extremely hard to do when you are feeling this way but even sitting on your patio, writing in your journal, can help.  If neither of these things is something that you can bring yourself to, it is time to call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  Don’t wait, call today.

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