MENTAL HEALTH IS PHYSICAL HEALTH.
September is Suicide Awareness Month. Suicide can often be prevented if we release the stigmas associated with mental health, asking for help, and being there for each other.
There are ways that you can help keep a loved one from taking their own life.
These 5 action steps from #BeThe1To are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention.
💛 Ask: "Are you thinking about suicide?" or "How can I help?" without bias or judgement. Asking someone about suicide does not increase the risk of someone taking their own life - it can prevent it.
💛 Be there. Stay with the person you feel may be suicidal until help arrives. Offer to listen and connect during and after the crisis. Call 9-1-1 for any dangerous situation
💛 Keep them safe. If a person is suicidal, ask if they have tried to die by suicide in the past, if they have a plan, if their plan has a timeline, and if they have access to things necessary to complete it. Again, this does not increase the risk of suicide. It can help to remove the person from immediate harm by seeking emergency assistance if they have access to means complete their plan, such as a weapon.
💛 Help them connect. Suggest crisis intervention resources like the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255). Help the person create a list of supportive people they can turn to, and help the person connect with mental health resources such as therapy.
💛 Follow-up. Reach out via phone, text, a card, or in-person to check on the person afterward so they feel connected and cared about.
If you ever think someone is thinking about suicide, do not leave the person at risk alone until emergency help has arrived unless you are in danger.
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