September is Suicide Prevention Month

Helping Those in Need

Some might be going through tough times and feeling unhappy. They may be dealing with things like sadness, loneliness, or not knowing how to cope with their feelings, and thus could be considering hurting themselves. It is important to understand that a person in this situation is in a lot of pain and needs support.

Here are five ways to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts:

• Be a good listener. Give them your full attention and create a safe space for them to express their feelings. Let them know you are there to listen without judgement or interruption.
• Show compassion. Let them know that you care about their well-being. Offer words of support and comfort to help them feel understood and valued.
• Stay connected. Regularly check in on them and let them know you are available to talk. Remind them that they are not alone.
• Educate yourself. Understand the warning signs, risk factors, and available resources in your community. This knowledge will help you to provide better support to someone who is struggling.
• Emphasize open communication. Encourage them to talk openly about their struggles and emotions.

Remember, someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts should never have to go through it alone. If their safety may be at risk, ensure that they seek immediate help from a professional by calling 911, visiting the nearest emergency room, or by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or https://988lifeline.org/chat/

Learn to Live as a Mental Health Resource

Learn to Live provides preventative services to help people in the mild to moderate range of suffering. We offer self-paced online resources for Stress, Anxiety & Worry, Depression, Social Anxiety, Insomnia, Panic, Substance Use and Resilience. If you are interested in this resource visit learntolive.com/welcome/ndmedicaidexp.