Hey there, thanks for continuing on this journey to learn more about suicide prevention and awareness. Now that you've learned more about the myths/facts, warning signs, and risk factors for suicide, you may be wondering "How do I talk about suicide and what do I say if someone tells me they're thinking of suicide?" You don't have to say anything perfectly. You need to: Ask about suicide and listen to the person, validate their feelings as they share them, and help connect the person to a mental health professional. Ask and Listen : If you notice any of the warning signs and/or risk factors from Part 1, ask the person directly about suicide. “It sounds like things are painful and lonely right now. I’ve noticed you haven’t been reaching out much, you don’t seem yourself, and I’m worried you’re struggling alone. When things get bad, people can think about escaping. Are you thinking of suicide?” Ask the question and be willing to listen to their answer. If someone op...

The majority of teens and adults will say that suicide impacted them personally; whether through a personal lived experience, personal loss, or a loved one struggling with thoughts of suicide oe suicide attempts. Suicide is the 10 th   leading cause of death in the United States, and at an average of 132 suicides occur each day. You may be surprised to learn this statistic, but as you’re reading this, you may we wondering why we aren’t talking more about it. This is what makes September such an important month. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month. An entire month dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention to start the conversation, raise awareness, and talk about what you can do to help. This article will cover suicide facts and myths, risk factors, and warning signs.   Let’s start with some common facts and myths about suicide:   -         MYTH :  Talking about suicide will make someone suicidal or give them...

During the COVID19 pandemic, it has become increasingly important that we take care of ourselves. Most of us experienced stress on a daily basis before COVID19 changed our routines, and now the changes may have impacted us even more. Thankfully, there are several ways to take care of yourself during this stressful time. Keeping reading to learn a few tips on practicing self-care! Eat Regular Meals Making sure you're eating meals regularly throughout the day can greatly impact your mood and stress level. Reduced or increased appetite during stress is common, so be sure to practice balanced eating. Stick to a Sleep Schedule Sleep is one of the first things that gets impacted by high stress. Practice healthy sleep hygiene by sticking to a regular bedtime and wake time. Try limited your screen time before bed or at least put it on night shift mode.  Find one thing to do daily that makes you feel competent and productive Pick an activity that easy to do and can be built upon and do it d...