Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Maybe they choose September because summer has ended and that’s always depressing. Who knows?

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month promotes resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness has a ton of information and resources.

Here are a few choice items. Please visit their site and learn more about suicide and how to help those in need. Wanting and trying to take your life is no fun. Succeeding is terrible.

Know the Warning Signs

Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous
Increased alcohol and drug use
Aggressive behavior
Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community
Dramatic mood swing
Talking, writing or thinking about death
Impulsive or reckless behavior

Being Prepared for a Crisis

My loved ones were at a loss as to how to help me and it was very frustrating for them. Here’s a great action plan.

Phone numbers for your loved one’s therapist, psychiatrist and other healthcare providers
Family members and friends who would be helpful, and local crisis line number
Phone numbers of family members or friends who would be helpful in a crisis
Local crisis line number (you can usually find this by contacting your NAMI Affiliate, or by doing an internet search for “mental health crisis services” and the name of your county)
Addresses of walk-in crisis centers or emergency rooms
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Your address and phone number(s)
Your loved one’s diagnosis and medications
Previous psychosis or suicide attempts
History of drug use
Triggers
Things that have helped in the past
Mobile Crisis Unit phone number in the area (if there is one)
Determine if police officers in the community have Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)

Keep copies in several places. Store a copy in a drawer in your kitchen, your glove compartment, on your smartphone, your bedside table, or in your wallet. Also, keep a copy in a room in your home that has a lock and a phone.

Stigma Free Pledge

Take the Stigma Free Pledge. There’s an awful stigma associated with mental illness and for awhile I didn’t want to tell anyone I suffer from it. But after Robin Williams’ death, I decided I wasn’t going to hide it any more. Taking the pledge and then doing something to help raise awareness will be incredibly helpful to those of us who suffer from mental illness.