Archives for 2022

It is World Suicide Prevention Day! Each year on September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day encourages worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicide and to support those who have been impacted by suicide.

Daily Challenge #5: Light a candle for World Suicide Prevention Day!

On this special day, you can join thousands of others in taking action for suicide prevention and remembering loved ones lost to suicide by lighting a candle near a window at 8 pm. Help spread the message by taking a photo and sharing on social media or with friends and family. To learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day, visit iasp.info/wspd/.

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #takeaction4MH #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

It’s not too late to join the Take Action for Suicide Prevention Challenge. To get started review this attached flyer and download the challenge card!

Daily Challenge #3: Complete a wellness activity.

Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence. Wellness has many dimensions, including physical and emotional health, social interactions and connectedness with others, intellectual pursuits, spiritual practices and beliefs, and activities that provide a sense of meaning and purpose. People of all ages benefit from some common tenets of wellness, but the specific ways to achieve it change across the lifespan.

Download the Take Action for Mental Health Wellness Notebook for Adults or the Mental Health Thrival Kit for youth and complete one of the journaling prompts, coloring pages, self-care practices, or breathing techniques.

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #takeaction4MH

It’s not too late to join the Take Action for Suicide Prevention Challenge. To get started review this attached flyer and download the challenge card!

Daily Challenge #3: Make a list of trusted contacts.

Having a strong social support network is a crucial element to thriving, but when in crisis it can be hard to think of who to reach out to. You may be feeling alone in your distress, or afraid to share thoughts of suicide with someone else. Making a list of safe and trusted contacts ahead of time is a reminder that you are not alone when you need help the most.

Write down three or more contacts and the easiest way to reach them. These can be friends, family members, or providers. Be sure to include at least one crisis line or warm line that is available 24/7. Place the list in a safe place near (or on) your phone or highlight the contacts on your phone with a special photo or image. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please know that you are not alone. Crisis lines, counselors, intervention programs, and more are available to you, whether you are in crisis yourself or concerned about someone else.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
• The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ Young People): 1-866-488-7386
• Friendship Line (for Older Adults): 1-800-971-0016
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
• Teen Line:  Call 1-800-852-8336 (from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. PST)

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #takeaction4MH

Suicide Prevention Week (September 4-10, 2022) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2022) is a time when individuals and organizations around the country and the world join their voices to broadcast the message that everyone can take action for suicide prevention and to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

Daily Challenge #2: Learn something new about suicide prevention.

Finding the words to talk about suicide is easier when you feel more knowledgeable about the subject. Familiarize yourself with a suicide prevention resource that is new to you; visit their website or their social media page and like, share, comment or sign up for email alerts to show your support for the work they do. The list below is a good place to start:

• Visit the website or social media page of your local county behavioral health agency or public health agency and search for suicide prevention.
• California’s Suicide Prevention Campaign “Know the Signs”: suicideispreventable.org
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: theactionalliance.org
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center: sprc.org
• American Association of Suicidology: Suicidology.org
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
• The Trevor Project:thetrevorproject.org
• The Directing Change Program:DirectingChangeCA.org

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #SuicidePreventionWeek #takeaction4MH

Welcome to Suicide Prevention Week!

Throughout this week, individuals and organizations around the state and country join their voices to broadcast the message that everyone can take action for suicide prevention. We all have a role to play in suicide prevention. There are actions you can take right now to support yourself and those around you:

• Together we can Take Action for Mental Health by learning more, checking-in with ourselves and others, and getting support when needed. Visit www.takeaction4MH.com for more information.
• Together we can Take Action for Suicide Prevention by knowing the signs for suicide, finding the words to check-in with someone we are concerned about, and reaching out to resources. Visit www.suicideispreventable.org for more information.

Get involved in Suicide Prevention Week by joining in on the Take Action for Suicide Prevention Challenge beginning today – Tuesday, September 6th, 2022. To get started download the challenge flyer and challenge card!

Daily Challenge #1: Play one of our games for suicide prevention

Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Although every story is different, and the problem of suicide is complex, there are three powerful ways everyone can take action for suicide prevention: Know the Signs, Find the Words, and Reach Out.

• Know the Signs of suicide. Pain isn’t always obvious. Yet most people who are considering suicide show some warning signs or signals of their intentions. The signs or changes in behavior may appear in conversations, through their actions, or in social media posts.

• Find the Words when you are concerned about someone. Ask them: “are you thinking about suicide?” The words can be difficult to say but being direct lets the person know that you care and want to help. Asking about suicide will not suggest the idea to them if they aren’t already thinking about it. Listening, expressing concern, and providing reassurance will go a long way in your effort to support them.

• Reach Out – You are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) at any time for assistance or call 911 for life threatening emergencies.

Download one or more of the following games and challenge yourself or a group of friends to a friendly competition. Have fun while learning the warning signs of suicide, tips for having a conversation with someone you are concerned about, and interesting facts about mental health and suicide prevention.

• Crossword Puzzle
• Trivia
• Bingo

Find activities, resources and more in the Suicide Prevention Week Activation Kit.

Connect with thousands throughout the country during Suicide Prevention Week by using the hashtags #SuicidePrevention #SuicidePreventionWeek #takeaction4MH