Suicide Prevention
You Can Help and There is No Expertise Required
"September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and today marks the end of Suicide Prevention Week. A time where light is shed more directly on suicide, suicide prevention efforts, reducing the stigma of suicidal ideation, and spreading helpful information. The idea is to provide resources to those who experience feeling suicidal, their loved ones, and society in general in order to aid in suicide prevention.
If there is one thing that we can all do to help prevent suicide, it is to have more open conversations about suicide. It seems society only openly discusses suicide when someone famous dies as a result of it. In 2018, beloved celebrities Anthony Bourdain (a celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian) and Kate Spade (a prominent fashion designer and business woman) were victims of suicide. Following their tragic deaths, discussions on suicide by both professionals and lay people occurred more frequently for a short time. Some of those discussions by everyday people were more surface
and/or misinformed. They involved stigmas and misinformation such as a person being “weak” or “crazy.” Some discussions were more substantial and helpful. They covered topics like who to call for help, encouraging help seeking behaviors, decreasing the stigma of mental health issues and suicidal ideation. However, the discussions slowed down significantly and in some cases stopped completely and left me wondering how to keep the discussions going since suicides are still occurring daily, 123 on average to be more specific.
Maybe it is the emotional interest and conversely the distance that people have from celebrities that allow them to talk about their perceptions and feelings on suicide in a way that people have not been able to talk about how suicide has plagued their minds or the minds of their loved ones. Often, people who are contemplating suicide and their loved ones are scared to have discussions about it. People suffering who have suicidal ideation are afraid of not being understood, being judged, still not feeling hopeful that their overwhelming pain and suffering will stop, or that they can be moved to decide to live. Loved ones are afraid of saying the wrong thing and not knowing what to do to help. They are also sometimes afraid that talking about it will cause it. So they do not say much or anything at all.
I am going to tell you lay people a secret, even some therapists are afraid to broach the subject of suicide. The difference is we are required to be informed about it and to try to help our clients address it in spite of whatever fears we may have. One thing we know from not always being professionals who help people who are feeling suicidal is that you do not have to be an expert to have the discussion. You have to be willing to go there and be present to listen to your what your loved one is suffering through. You have to be willing to hear something that frightens you for the benefit of your loved one. Do not avoid bringing it up for fear that you are reinforcing it by talking about it. Inform yourself on how ways to have the conversation.
There are plenty of websites that give helpful tips on what to watch out for and ways to respond to someone with suicidal thoughts or plans. One article I found particularly informative for a layperson is titled Suicide Prevention on helpguide.org,
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention.htm
Calling 911 in an emergency or having your loved one call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741) may also be necessary. Someone is available to help 24 hours every day."
by Dr. Jasmine M. Davis, PhD