How to Support Others for Suicide Awareness Month
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This is an important time and reminder to recognize those who have been affected by suicide, to create awareness, and build a support system for those in need. It’s essential to remember that there are resources available to help you or someone you know when it comes to understanding the signs of suicide and how to handle them.
Mental health organizations across the country provide resources, support groups, and hotlines for anyone seeking help and guidance in this difficult time. In our industry, physical health and safety are often valued and promoted but we realize that being healthy starts first with being well mentally.
We ask you to join us this month, as we raise awareness and provide access to resources. The most important thing to remember is that help is available for those who need it. No one needs to feel alone or without hope during National Suicide Prevention Month.
We’d also like to use this month as an opportunity to join together in support of those who are struggling and show them that they are not alone. We encourage you to take time for small acts of kindness such as listening and checking in regularly on friends, family, and co-workers. All it takes is one kind gesture or word of encouragement to make a difference. Listed below are five steps to follow for suicide prevention.
5 Steps to Connect and Help Those in Need
- Ask. Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide can reduce rather than increase negative thoughts.
- Be There. Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens with an open mind and without judgment.
- Keep Them Safe. Several studies have indicated that when dangerous items are made less available, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
- Help Them Stay Connected. Studies indicate that helping someone at risk creates a network of resources and individuals for support and safety that can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
- Follow Up. Studies have also shown that 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.
More information on the five steps here: https://www.bethe1to.com/
Now more than ever, we must work together to keep our loved ones safe and end the stigma surrounding mental health. By raising awareness within the construction industry and beyond, we can work together to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and create a more supportive society. Ultimately, this will make it easier for those struggling to seek help and access resources to reduce their risk of suicide. With increased awareness and access to support services, we can make a difference in reducing suicide rates among our workers and beyond.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health below are resources for support:
Join Us for the Out of Darkness Walk Chicagoland
Three years ago, one of our Milestone team members, Jim Lampa and his family experienced the unthinkable- the loss of their son Dax. On Saturday, October 21st, 2023, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting the Out of Darkness Chicagoland Walk. During this walk, friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost.
To contribute, please visit their donation page. There you can sign up to walk with Jim and his family and/or make a donation. If financial support is not feasible now, you can still make a difference by sharing our cause with your friends, family, and colleagues. Awareness is a powerful tool, and your voice can help us reach more people in need.
Thank you for considering our cause during Suicide Prevention Month. Together, we can save lives, offer hope, and create a world where everyone’s mental health matters.
Dax’s team: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=320193
Ashlyn Cavins contributed to this article
