Suicide Prevention Resources
As a stress researcher, I often talk about the negative consequences of stress. One of those, unfortunately, is suicide.
Knowing the warning signs and where to get help demonstrably saves lives. That’s why September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And within that month, there’s increased emphasis during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week (September 10-16, 2023), and on National Suicide Prevention Awareness Day (September 10).
Want to learn more about suicide prevention awareness? Here are some campaigns and organizations to help.
https://www.bethe1to.com/ is an important campaign from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts most of the walks and has resources to help yourself and help others. They are hosting several online events for Suicide Prevention Week, and also have several articles, stories and practical info.
https://seizetheawkward.org/ offers fantastic resources, including a campaign targeting youth and young adults.
From National Council for Suicide Prevention, https://www.take5tosavelives.org/ has a challenge for Suicide Prevention Day that includes five important steps (learn the signs, know how to help, practice self-care, reach out and spread the word).
This promotional campaign from the Veteran’s Crisis Line (a sub-division of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) was developed for veterans, but has generally applicable information: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/support/be-there.
Livethroughthis.org is an intriguing website created by a member of the American Association for Suicidology to share stories from survivors of suicide attempts. These are beautifully done and don’t share details that could risk contagion/copycat suicides. Instead, they help people feel less alone in their suicidal thoughts and promote resilience and coping by helping people realize they can have those feelings and still get through them by seeing people who have been through similar experiences and survived them.
And a special thanks to Dr. Danette Gibbs, Ph.D. Director of Research and Strategic Planning for The Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia for assistance with these resources!
Reach out if you or someone you know needs crisis counseling. These organizations are available 24/7 and can help connect you with local resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
I shared many of these resources in a blog I wrote a few years ago. Read the original at: https://smv.org/learn/blog/emerging-neuroscience-working-prevent-suicide/.
