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Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This month is used to share resources and stories and promote suicide prevention awareness. This month is a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to share their voices and let people know that there is hope, help available, and that healing is possible.

988 Lifeline uses the hashtag #BeThe1To as a message for National Suicide Prevention Month. This hashtag helps spread the word about actions that can be taken to prevent suicides.

988 is a number that can be called to transfer callers to a trained crisis counselor who can help those experiencing suicidal, substance use, or mental heath crisis. 988 can also be called by loved ones who are worried about others.

988 states that people can BeThe1To:

  • Ask – research has shown that people having suicidal thoughts feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring manner
  • Be there – people are more likely to feel less depresses, suicidal, overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without any judgement
  • Keep them safe – studies have the indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates decline
  • Help them stay connected – studies show that creating a network of resources for people struggling for support and safety can help them tale positive actions and feel less hopeless
  • Follow up – studies show that a brief, supportive intervention and ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide

For additional information on this topic, JJ Safety provides training for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness.

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