Mental Health News Education’s Post

September is #SuicidePreventionMonth, a time to raise awareness and support those affected by #suicide. With youth suicide rates on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand the warning signs and take action. The focus is on community-based prevention, #MentalHealth resources, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to offer immediate help. Together, we can make a difference by embracing the message: “No Judgment. Just Help.” “No Judgment. Just Help: What You Can Do to Support Suicide Prevention Month Efforts” By Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 📰 Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eni9Rqqt

*Trigger Warning: Suicide and Mental Health* This article came to my attention, and as a parent, I wanted to share it. Parenthood is a challenge like no other- an intricate balance of love, discipline, guilt, fear, compromise and hope. One of the greatest concerns is that we miss the signs of serious problems, especially in the face of delays in access to treatment and support that currently exists in the UK. Mental health professionals emphasise the urgent need to recognise suicide warning signs in children, as suicide ranks as the THIRD leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds. Key warning signs include: ·      Discussions about ending life ·      Loss of interest in favourite activities ·      Withdrawal from relationships ·      Noticeable mood or behavioural changes Emily Farmer of COPES advises: ·      Initiating open conversations about observed changes ·      Seeking professional support and safety planning ·      Highlighting the importance of securing medications and firearms ·      Urging individuals to share concerns about a friend's well-being with adults   Support and information from COPES can be found here: https://lnkd.in/esdvP4_5 In the UK: https://lnkd.in/e_PKvi8z https://lnkd.in/eKiGFdxG

Mental health is real.

💜 Today is the last day of Suicide Prevention Month. As mentioned on my previous posts, our Baylor Scott & White Health Palliative Care Child Life Specialists, have encountered an increasing number of children, as young as 6 years old, with suicidal ideation. And we sought out intensive training to ensure that we recognize it and respond appropriately. The number of children and teens who die by suicide continues to rise and we all have a responsibility to take action NOW. 💡 What can you, as just one person, do to help? It only takes one person to make a difference. Seek out webinars, courses, trainings, or workshops to guide your knowledge. But even if you don't have any extra training, the #1 action you can take, is: ⚡ ASK THE QUESTION ⚡ Ask a child, teen, or adult, who may be experiencing mental health challenges, who is talking to you about someone else's suicide (real or in a movie), who is being bullied, or who just seems to be struggling, if they have thought about or made a plan to hurt themselves and cause themselves to die. THIS WILL NOT PLANT THE SEED or MAKE THEM DECIDE TO SUICIDE. In fact, it can save their life. Read about the myths on the link below: https://lnkd.in/g_7jhWZW And learn more about how death by suicide may happen seemingly out of the blue, by watching this video about a young boy, just days from turning 13. The family of Hayden Hunstable, has made it their mission to share their son's story to raise awareness and increase communication to help prevent youth suicide. https://lnkd.in/ggddPmyZ If you are a parent, teacher, counselor, person that works with children, person that loves children, or person that children seek out for support, you have a responsibility to know what to look for and to know how to respond, when a child is expressing or showing signs they may have, suicidal ideation. Don't assume that they are too young, they are seeking attention, or they are just saying it because they saw on a tv show (these are all things parents have said to us, when we shared that their child is experiencing suicidal ideation). And don't think for a minute, that you shouldn't get involved or assume that someone else will step in. If you are saying or thinking this--you can bet other people are saying or thinking it too. Who is willing to do something? If not you, then who? 💜

September 10, 2024, is World Suicide Prevention Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about suicide. Suicide occurs across all ages, economic, social, ability, racial, gender and ethnic boundaries. The theme this year is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. The call to action encourages everyone to start the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention. Every conversation, no matter how small, breaks down barriers and contributes to a more supportive and understanding society. It's important to know that asking someone if they're thinking about suicide won't increase the risk. Asking can lead to important conversations. Ways to help a loved one who may be struggling: Listen supportively Validate their feelings Encourage them to seek support Tell them you care and that you do not want them to die If you or someone you know is at risk, please reach out for help Nova Scotia, https://lnkd.in/esKGitBe, PEI https://lnkd.in/e5PX_Yeu New Brunswick https://lnkd.in/epzUa8ik Emergency & crisis services Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline 988 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Text CONNECT to 686868 NS Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line 1-888-429-8167 Emergency 911

World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on 10 September, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about suicide and promoting efforts to prevent it. This day provides an important platform to discuss mental health, share resources, and support those affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviours. It serves as a reminder of the critical need for effective suicide prevention strategies and the importance of fostering a compassionate and supportive environment. #savelives #preventsuicides

We know that the lives of families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide have been tragically altered, and our hearts go out to them.  That’s why in September, which is Suicide Prevention Month, it’s important to me to highlight the four signs that can help people spot someone who is in mental distress.  These are important – and helpful - to know, because you, or someone you know, could take action to help someone, especially a young person, facing serious mental health problems.     According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates increased approximately 36% between 2000–2022 and suicide was responsible for 49,476 deaths in 2022 alone - about one death every 11 minutes.      In the communities that Blue Shield Promise Health Plan serves, we work with many fine organizations that offer vital mental health services and support to young and old alike.    In Los Angeles, organizations like Tri-City Mental Health, YWCA of San Gabriel Valley and Helpline Youth Counseling provide valuable mental health services to diverse communities.   Blue Shield’s News Center recently published an article with valuable tips for spotting people in distress and a list of valuable resources, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that provides immediate help to people in need.  Read the article here:

We know that the lives of families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide have been tragically altered, and our hearts go out to them.  That’s why in September, which is #SuicidePreventionMonth, it’s important to me to highlight the four signs that can help people spot someone who is in mental distress.  These are important – and helpful - to know, because you, or someone you know, could take action to help someone, especially a young person, facing serious mental health problems.     According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates increased approximately 36% between 2000–2022 and suicide was responsible for 49,476 deaths in 2022 alone - about one death every 11 minutes.      In the communities that Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan serves, we work with many fine organizations that offer vital mental health services and support to young and old alike. In San Diego, these include La Maestra Community Health Centers, Family Health Centers of San Diego, San Ysidro Health, San Diego Family Care, and Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.    In Los Angeles, organizations like Tri-City Mental Health, YWCA San Gabriel Valley and Helpline Youth Counseling provide valuable mental health services to diverse communities.    Blue Shield of California News Center recently published an article with valuable tips for spotting people in distress and a list of valuable resources, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that provides immediate help to people in need.  Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gjhkKjmu #BSCPromise #WhatWeStandFor #BlueShieldCares #SuicidePrevention #Suicideawareness #WeNeverStop #ProudToBeBSCA 

Progress is being made which is good news. However there is work to be done as highlighted below. "Knowledge is Needed: Most adults (71%) say something would stop them from talking about suicide with others, with 1 in 4 citing lack of knowledge (26%) or not knowing the right words (27%) as barriers." Did you know that AFSP offers multiple trainings for the workplace, schools, and beyond that can help educate and break down this barrier? Knowledge is power; let's take the time to empower ourselves and each other. Find and reach out to your local chapter by visiting https://lnkd.in/gDhEkH3F Together we make not just a difference but can make THE difference for each other.

Official figures show suicide rates are the highest they have been in 25 years. In the UK, mental ill health is the largest single cause of disability, with suicide levels so high it is considered a public health emergency. In this blog for World Suicide Prevention Day, Dr Jon Van Niekerk FRCPsych, Cygnet Group Clinical Director and Interim Suicide Prevention Lead, provides tips for supporting someone with suicidal thoughts. https://ow.ly/Zb0250TjR5v #WSPD2024