September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Hello Bay Community,

September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Sadly, most all of us have been impacted by the experience of losing someone to suicide. One of the most important ways that we can prevent suicide is through connection. Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. We are here to provide accessible steps that we can take as a community to do our part in suicide prevention.

DESTIGMATIZING SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IS SUICIDE PREVENTION.

Research shows that talking to someone about how you are feeling allows for processing, feeling connected, feeling heard, and feeling better. Sadly the stigma around seeking support often prohibits the very people who could benefit from counseling or therapy from getting the help they need.

This can potentially lead to further isolation, depression, hopelessness, and increase risk for suicide. We must do our part to normalize seeking support. It can save lives.

Here are some easy things that we can do to help ourselves and others who may need it:

Reaching out to/checking in with someone that we are concerned about
Encouraging someone to seek support when it sounds like they could benefit from it
Offering resources and tools to ourselves and others (some are below)
Not make fun of someone seeking support, or of mental health services in general
Offer to help make an appointment for or go with someone to counseling or therapy
For students, talking to a trusted adult when you are concerned for yourself or a friend
Remind yourself and others that you/they are not a burden for seeking support

It's important to take care of yourselves when you are supporting someone else that is struggling. It can be scary when a friend or loved one if thininking about suicide. There are professionals who have the skills and training to offer guidance.