September is National Suicide Prevention Month: Suicide Awareness & Prevention

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day
Starting a conversation about suicide can be intimidating, especially when we find ourselves wondering if we’re doing it right. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to talk about suicide but opening that door with the people you care about may allow them to feel ready to talk about it. On the other hand, if you’re struggling, connecting with someone you trust about how you’re feeling is the first step to getting better.
Being Aware of the Signs
Signs that someone may be struggling with suicidal thoughts often appear in the way they talk, their actions and behaviors, and their overall mood. Contrary to a lot of depictions, there usually are warning signs – sometimes we just don’t know what they are. 
Many people struggling with suicidal thoughts talk about feeling trapped, hopeless, or burdensome to those they care about. Some will even openly discuss the urge to hurt themselves or not wanting to be alive, only to follow with humor to deflect or insist they weren’t being serious. Behavior and mood changes can be seen through patterns of isolation and withdrawing from loved ones, sleeping too much or too little, increased recklessness (including use or increased use of drugs and alcohol), a loss of interest in things they usually love, or noticeable anxiety and agitation. 
For youth, the expression of warning signs can be unique to their current life experiences. They often express internal struggles through behaviors and physical symptoms, including an increase in somatic symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue that have no medical explanation, especially paired with an increase in irritability or mood swings. Youth struggling with their mental health may also express academic concerns, sometimes paired with a sharp decline in their academic performance. Risk taking behaviors, including self-harm and use of substances, might be a way for them to attempt to address feelings of anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. Youth also begin self-isolating and express a loss of interest in activities and pastimes they once enjoyed.
If someone has started to form a plan to end their life, the relief they experience at feeling unstick may appear as them getting “better.” A sudden shift like this followed by things like giving away prized possessions or even saying goodbye should be the cause for immediate concern.
How to Respond
These are the general steps you can take to connect with someone you may be concerned about. It’s imperative that any conversation around suicide is lead with empathy and a calm demeanor so that they don’t feel as though they’re doing something wrong. 

• Ask: Be direct with the words you use, while still reminding them that you're coming from a place of concern. Tell them you’re worried that they’ve not been acting like themselves, and you want them to know they can talk to you; ask them if they’ve been thinking about suicide or hurting themselves.
• Listen: It’s incredibly important to listen without judgement to what the other person might say. While it might be challenging to hear, allowing them the chance to express things may also lead to knowing how to best support them later.
• Respond: While staying calm, acknowledge that their pain is very real and that you care about them. If they reveal that they are feeling suicidal, offer to sit with them while they call a crisis line or go with them to a nearby emergency room. If they aren’t struggling with suicidal thoughts specifically, remind them that you’re willing to listen if things change, and encourage them to find professional counseling soon.
• Follow Up: Make sure to check in on the person within a day or two after this conversation if you’re able. Visiting in person or calling will be better than a text. They may not be fully ready to transition into getting the help from a professional they need, but you can encourage them to not give up and remind them that they aren’t alone while they figure it out.

If you know someone or are struggling yourself with thoughts of suicide and need immediate help, please contact one a 24-hour crisis line such as the ones below or visit the nearest emergency room: 

• Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Crisis Line: 734-544-3050
• UM Health System Psychiatric Emergency Services: 734-936-5900
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text/Call 988 or Chat (chat.988lifeline.org)

For those not in immediate crisis, Thrive Counseling is a compassionate and holistic resource for individuals and families seeking help to navigate their mental health challenges.
Keep Talking About It
​With suicide prevailing as a leading cause of death across the world, staying silent will only lead to furthering the shame and stigma that prevents people from feeling able to reach out for help. When we only discuss suicide during times of crisis, it increased the gap in knowledge and preparedness that we all need to help those we love who might be hurting.
Shedding light on the impact of losing someone to a completed suicide or your own struggles with it, creating opportunities to educate others, and raising general awareness are real ways to stop the harmful myths and stereotypes that continue to circulate. Everyone can play an active role in preventing suicides and increasing access to mental health care by having more conversations around tough topics like this, safely and responsibly.