September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10 – 16, 2023 is National Suicide Prevention Week. Did you know… Suicide ranks as the 10th leading cause of death and is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults aged 15-24. This is all in the face of increased attempts to die by suicide, incidents of self-harm, and increased levels of depression and anxiety. The impact of a death by suicide affects more than the individual who tragically dies including the family, friends, and even the first responders who respond to these calls.
When a person is experiencing challenges to their mental health, it is important they have the help, resources, and support necessary to guide them through. Please take a moment to reflect and know the warning signs of suicide. These signs include feelings of despair, hopelessness, loss of interest in things that used to give them joy, excessive drug/alcohol use, becomes withdrawn or isolates themselves, or recently experienced or sustained traumatic life events. The best way to find out if someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts is to ask them directly.
Mental health challenges can affect a person’s moods, behaviors, and even their cognitive functioning. The norm in some cultures may be to avoid talking about problems, feelings, or mental health concerns. While some individuals can have healthy coping mechanisms, many people often struggle to find proactive methods for their emotional turmoil or unresolved trauma. For any stressful situation, talk about the feelings you have, provide an open dialogue, and promote the fact that it is ok to talk about feelings of stress, isolation, and anxiety.
Help is here! United Way of Broward County partnered with the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, and the Department of Children and Families to prioritize mental health struggles in its county-wide “It’s OK to not be OK” initiative and the 9-8-8 hotline. The goal is to provide an outlet of support to the community facing challenges with mental health, or any feelings of stress, isolation, and anxiety.
Call the 9-8-8 hotline for support! Trained counselors provide each caller with guidance and free resources that will help in most situations.
Suicide prevention resources:
Dial 9-8-8 if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts.
The 211 Boward Crisis and Suicide Care Support – www.211-broward.org/crisis-and-suicide-care
United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention’s website, drugfreebroward.org, also provides a support and prevention resource center with tool kits that provide support for mental and behavioral health issues.
Postvention Support for Suicide Survivors is available through the Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team and provides survivor support groups and a Purple Packet Resource Guide. For more information, please feel free to call: (954) 746-2055 X134 or email LOSS@mhasefl.org
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