If you’ve been with us for a while, you know we’re no stranger to diving into difficult topics. After all, we know that ending the stigma around mental health is the only collective way forward toward a world where everyone is able to both seek and access care and support. With that in mind, we’d like to call attention to World Suicide Prevention Day, happening this month on September 10th. According to the World Health Organization, “World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). [It] aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.”
Preventing suicide means understanding what drives suicidal ideation and action. As we covered in mythbusting about self-harm, it’s important to understand that suicide and suicidal ideation can be a way that people try to process what they’re going through and seek solutions. While these aren’t healthy ways of processing and ending your life is never a solution, these thoughts are more common than one might think. When we treat suicide as unspeakable, we ignore the reality that over 700,000 suicides occur each year and there are many more attempts than completions. We can’t help when we are trying to avoid the topic.
If a loved one is experiencing suicidal ideation, it’s easy to be so frozen by fear that you can’t act. It can help to have a plan and a script to help you get started. Here are some ways to broach the conversation and support your loved ones.
- Know the signs: While each person is different, there are commonly recognized warning signs of suicidality that mental health professionals agree upon such as increased substance use, withdrawal, and acts like giving away belongings and saying goodbye to loved ones. Being aware of these signs can help you spot them early.
- Have hard conversations: We know we need to check in on our loved ones when they are struggling…but how? Seize the Awkward has resources, tools, and tips on how to start, conduct, and follow up after a check-in conversation. Your willingness to be a safe and empathetic ear is a huge support to those going through a tough time.
- Skip the judgment: When a loved one chooses to confide in you, avoid becoming upset, angry, or arguing that suicide is wrong or selfish. Instead, recognize the courage it takes for your loved one to open up to you and match it with your own. Ask simple, judgment-free questions about why they feel the way they do and gauge if they have any concrete plans to complete suicide. See if you can help them access care like calling a hotline or a therapist. Take your time, patience is key in helping someone open up.
- Tell them why you’d miss them: Those navigating suicidal thoughts, often feel like a burden and think that their loved ones would be better off without them. It’s important to remind them that they are cherished and loved with specific examples of what you’d miss if they were to not be here anymore. Let them know that your world is better with them in it.
Suicide and suicidal ideation can be difficult topics to broach and it can be tempting to avoid the conversation due to fear or discomfort. While we aren’t in control of the actions of others, we can all play a role in keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe, and World Suicide Prevention Day honors that mission. If you or a loved one need support in finding mental health resources, we’re here to help. For immediate support, call or text 988 for the 24/7 suicide crisis hotline. To connect with local resources, explore our Find Services page. Remember, supporting loved ones is important but often taxing work. You also deserve support, resources, and care.
Until next time,
Your Team at Let’s Talk Tampa Bay
