National Suicide Prevention Week & Month – September 2021

Greetings Readers!

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time when all community members unite to raise awareness on suicide prevention, and its importance. 

Disclaimer: The topic of suicide and the information below can be uncomfortable, scary, and even triggering. If you or someone around you is having thoughts of self-harm or attempting suicide, please reach out for help and understand you are not alone. If there is immediate danger to yourself or others always call 911. There are also resources located at the bottom of the blog that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Before we go any further, here are a few affirmations:

  • I am always important, no matter what. 

  • Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and it does not make me weak. 

  • This discomfort will not last forever. I have hope that things will get better. 

Suicide is the act of ending one’s own life, and it is important to know that suicide does not discriminate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intentional self-harm (suicide) is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is an organization dedicated to changing the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention. They created a #BeThe1To campaign which features 5 actions steps that all people can take to promote healing, help, and give hope surrounding suicide prevention.

5 action steps – #BeThe1To

  • Ask: If you are concerned about someone, directly ask “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” or “Are you thinking about suicide?”

  • Be there: Listen to them without judgments about their feelings and experiences. 

  • Keep them safe: If your friend lets you know that they have thought about suicide, help them stay safe by separating them from anything harmful and stay with them until you can connect them with someone that can further support them. 

  • Help them stay connected: Connect your friend with someone who can further support them. This includes family members, other friends, health professionals, or help hotlines. Offer to call the hotline together or offer them a ride to a professional. 

  • Follow Up: After a crisis, reach out to your friend again and check in with them. In the days and weeks following a crisis, reaching out to your friend is important and shows that you care about them and truly want to help them. 

  • Learn more: Continue learning and educating yourself and others about the importance of suicide prevention. Find message kits, resources, information on events, and more by visiting BeThe1To.com.

This year, National Suicide Prevention Week 2021 is Sunday, September 5th through Saturday, September 11th. Below are Touchstone Health Services Prevention Department’s suggestions on how to participate and support suicide prevention awareness.

  • Sunday, September 5th: Use today to spread the word about National Suicide Prevention Week by posting it on your social media accounts. Posting on social media such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok helps raise awareness for the cause so try using a photo frame around your profile picture on social media to help raise awareness. Keep it up all week to reach more people! 

  • Monday, September 6th: Sharing information at school or at work locations can be an easy way to spread awareness among a large crowd easily. Create and post signs or flyers with positive messages around school, work, or town. Be sure to get permission from the location before posting anything. 

  • Tuesday, September 7th: Talking about suicide can be uncomfortable and scary, but it is one of the most effective ways to raise awareness about the topic. Use today to share one of the many wonderful suicide prevention resources such as The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, or the Crisis Text (text HOME to 741741). You can also share your own personal story if you are comfortable doing so or listen nonjudgmentally to someone who may be sharing their story with you. 

  • Wednesday, September 8th: The Suicide Prevention ribbon is colored purple and turquoise, symbolizing suicide awareness and prevention. The ribbon and this color combination serve as a reminder that suicide is an issue that needs to be talked about. Support suicide prevention efforts this Wednesday by wearing purple and turquoise! Post a picture on your social media accounts and encourage others to do the same! 

  • Thursday, September 9th: Sometimes even our loved ones may feel alone or like they have no one to talk to. Use today to practice the #BeThe1To action steps (described above) in a conversation with a loved one. Reach out to someone and ask them how they are doing. Find out if they need anything. 

  • Friday, September 10th: September 10th is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Day! Today, light a candle for a lost loved one and for survivors of suicide. You can share a picture of your candle on your social media accounts which can encourage conversations around suicide prevention awareness. Encourage others to do the same, and light and post a candle as well. 

  • Saturday, September 11th: #SelfCareSaturday Learn new ways to care for your own mental health! Check out CARE’S Newsletter to see how Touchstone Health Services Prevention Department supervisors practice self-care. Additionally, stay tuned for next week’s blog post where we dive into 4 pieces of self-care; Physical, Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Self-Care! 

Here’s how YOU can be a prevention partner:

  • Learn more about the 5 #BeThe1To action steps, and why each is important by visiting https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/. BeThe1To.com also features a printable resource that can be used to spread awareness on the action steps with others. 

  • Save at least one of these resources into your phone in case you or a loved one ever is in crisis. 

    • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
    • Crisis Text (text HOME to 741741)

  • Participate in National Suicide Prevention Week by utilizing the above suggestions. Encourage your friends and family to participate with you! 

If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others: 

  • Call 911.

  • Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

  • Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.