Department of Health focuses on suicide prevention during September
The Islands' SounderSep 16, 2020
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Everyone has a role in suicide prevention. In observance of National Suicide Prevention Month, the
Vigilance is especially important this year due to the increased stress, anxiety and depression people may be experiencing with COVID-19. Normalizing conversation around mental health helps break the stigma. That's why we're asking everyone to be the one to be present, supportive and strong for those who may be going through a difficult time.
Following the LEARN Model Steps can help everyone identify the steps they can take to offer support:
• Learn to recognize the warning signs.
• Empathize with the person you're concerned about and listen to what they say.
• Ask them if they are thinking about suicide. It's okay to ask someone directly.
• And if they say yes, they are, remove the danger – the method they're thinking of using.
• Help them with next steps, such as calling or texting a crisis line.
The starting place can be just reaching out to loved ones to show them you care, checking in through a text and simply asking, "How are you?"
"Suicide is preventable, and you don't need special training," said Secretary of Health
"It's important that students, families, and educators learn the warning signs of suicide and how to offer support," said State Superintendent
Look for the hashtags #BeThe1To, #BeThere, and #SPM20 this month on the social media pages of these state partners in suicide prevention. Additional resources offering individual, family, and community support will be shared throughout the month of September.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, or if someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or chat online, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For support via text on the
Additional suicide prevention resources:
• LEARN, https://intheforefront.org/LEARN/.
• Your wellbeing during COVID-19, https://coronavirus.wa.gov/information-for/you-and-your-family/mental-and-emotional-well-being.