National Suicide Prevention Week runs September 6th through 12th this year and encompasses National Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. This day provides a crucial opportunity to acknowledge those that are suffering with this aspect of their mental health.
Suicide is not just a medical or mental health issue, but a complicated mix of both. Suicide is preventable and involves a collection of efforts on the individual, community, and society levels. Some prevention methods include actively treating known mental illness or illnesses, improving coping strategies available to high-risk individuals, reducing poverty and other societal risk factors, and proposing hopeful outcomes once steps have been taken to resolve current problems.
Here in the US, we have two major organizations created to reduce suicide attempts. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides a 24/7 toll-free hotline (1-800-273-8255). Representatives from over 160 crisis centers provide immediate counseling and local mental health referrals. This past July, the FCC finalized an order implementing 9-8-8 as the national hotline number by July 16, 2022. The second organization is the Trevor Project which exists to support suicide prevention efforts of LGBTQIA+ youth under the age of 25. The Trevor Project also offers parents and educators guidance and resources to provide safe, accepting, inclusive environments at home and school. They fulfill their mission with four strategies: immediate crisis counseling to young people thinking of suicide, providing a sense of community, educating young people and adults on suicide prevention, and advocating for laws and policies that are inclusive of LGBTQIA+ people.
Suicide prevention and the associated mental illnesses are well cared for here at Gilstrap and Associates. Our team of licensed mental health counselors works with all our patients to determine the care method that applies to each one individually for the greatest opportunity for success. Contact us now to get started on the path to a long and hopeful life.