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

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

Good Morning,

The counselors, Monique Aldrete,  Jennifer Barba and Artia Thomas, will begin to host the annual parent presentations to discuss graduation requirements, college admissions, and parent tips on next steps. The following are the dates and times for each grade level:

9th Grade – Monday, February 7 from 5:00pm – 6:00 pm – Ms. Barba & Ms. Aldrete

10th Grade – Tuesday, February 8 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Ms. Thomas & Ms. Aldrete

11th Grade – Wednesday, February 9 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Ms. Barba & Ms. Aldrete

As we get closer to the event, counselors will provide zoom link information. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email the grade level counselor. We hope in seeing you soon!

Thank You,

The DVC Counseling Team

Ms. Aldrete, College and Career Counselor for grades 9-12 (maldrete@davincischools.org)

Ms. Barba, Grade Level Counselor for grades 9th & 11th  (jbarba@davincischools.org)

Ms. Thomas, Grade Level Counselor for grades 10th & 12th (athomas@davincischools.org)

Suicide Prevention Week Challenge #4:  Pause and Take A Breath

It’s not too late to join the Suicide Prevention Week challenge. To get started download the challenge flyerand challenge card!  Today’s challenge is focused on a simple, but profound coping skill: Breathing. Schedule a 10-minute ‘Breathe Break’ into your calendar and use this time to remove distractions and partake in a breathing exercise of your choice. This can be done individually, during a zoom meeting, or even as a family.

Most of us experience any number of emotions from day to day. Experiencing negative emotions, especially when under stress, is part of the human experience; however, if left unprocessed or unacknowledged, they can cause harm physically and emotionally. Prolonged crises, such as the ones we have experienced due to COVID, and any form of significant life transition can lead to long-term and toxic stress. This type of stress can be especially amplified among people who were already experiencing significant life challenges, chronic health or mental health conditions, and disabilities.

Research has found that breathing practices are effective at reducing stress, balancing our energy and emotions, and helping us process some of the more challenging feelings that can arise. But incorporating self-care, such as breathing, into our busy lives is easier said than done and may also be particularly challenging for people who have experienced trauma.

Being gentle with ourselves by setting boundaries and limits that support our mental health may be the most important self-care act of all. As author Brianna Wiest says: “Self-care should not be something we resort to because we are so absolutely exhausted that we need some reprieve from our own relentless internal pressure. True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from.”

But changing the expectations of ourselves and others takes time and practice. Starting with small actions can be a good way to begin. For example, try out one of the breathing exercises below or mindful breathing, which has been known to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Belly Breathing:

It may sound strange, but many people forget how to breathe properly, using their chest and shoulders to breathe, resulting in short and shallow breaths which can increase stress and anxiety! When you breathe, your belly should expand, involving your diaphragm, a large muscle in your abdomen. This type of breathing is known as diaphragmatic, or belly breathing and can lower stress levels, reduce blood pressure, lower our heart rate, and help us relax. Belly Breathing is at the center of the practice of meditation which is known to help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

Download, share and watch the 30-second Belly Breathing Animation, which can be found here: https://www.suicideispreventable.org/social-media.php

Color Breathing

Visualize a color that represents how you want to feel, imagine inhaling that color in. Visualize a color that represents what you want to let go of, imagine exhaling that color out.

4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Otherwise known as “relaxing breath”, 4-7-8 breathing, is a simple breathing exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime to aid in stress reduction, grounding, and even sleep. Inhale for a count of 7, hold for a county of 4, and then exhale for a county of 8!  Download and share the 4-7-8 Breathing Card and Social Media post.

Square Breathing

One of the most common breathing exercises is referred to as square breathing which is the act of breathing in the form of a square! Inhale 2…3…4… hold 2…3…4!  Download and share the Square Breathing Card and Social Media post.

Find even more activities in the Suicide Prevention Week 2020 Kit here. 

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

Reto #4 Semana de Prevención del Suicidio: Pause y Respire

No es tarde para unirse al reto de la semana de Prevención del Suicidio. Para comenzar descargue el folleto y tarjeta de retos.  El reto de hoy se centra en una habilidad de afrontamiento simple pero profunda: la respiración. Programe en su calendario una “Pausa para respirar” de 10 minutos y utilice este tiempo para eliminar distracciones y participar en un ejercicio de respiración que usted elija. Esto se puede hacer individualmente, durante una reunión de zoom, o incluso en familia.

La mayoría de nosotros experimentamos una gran cantidad de emociones todos los días. Experimentar emociones negativas, especialmente cuando está bajo estrés, es parte de la experiencia humana; sin embargo, si no se procesan o no se reconocen, pueden causar daño físico y emocional. Las crisis prolongadas, como las que hemos experimentado debido al COVID, y cualquier cambio significativo pueden provocar estrés tóxico de largo plazo. Este tipo de estrés puede amplificarse especialmente entre las personas que ya estaban experimentando grandes desafíos en su vida, enfermedades crónicas o enfermedades mentales y discapacidades.

Los estudios han descubierto que las prácticas de respiración son efectivas para reducir el estrés, equilibrar nuestra energía y emociones y ayudarnos a procesar algunos de los sentimientos más desafiantes que pueden surgir. Pero es más fácil hablar sobre el cuidado personal que de ponerlo en práctica inclusive puede ser particularmente desafiante para las personas que han experimentado trauma.

Cuidar de sí mismo y tener límites protege su salud mental y puede ser lo más importante para su autocuidado. Parece que hemos creado la expectativa que el autocuidado es algo opcional, algo que podemos hacer ocasionalmente cuando tenemos tiempo. El autocuidado no debe ser algo al que recurrimos cuando ya estamos desgastados y necesitamos descansar de nuestra propia presión interna. El autocuidado no se trata de baños salinos y pasteles de chocolate, se trata de las decisiones que tomamos para crear una vida de la que no tenemos que escapar regularmente.

Pero cambiar las expectativas de nosotros mismos y de los demás toma tiempo y práctica. Acciones pequeñas pueden ser una forma buena para empezar. Por ejemplo, si el decir no a las obligaciones sociales es muy difícil, trate de tomar un descanso breve antes y después de cada evento. Durante este descanso, use el tiempo para practicar cómo darle atención a la respiración, una práctica que ha demostrado reducir el estrés y la ansiedad.

Técnica de respiración 4-7-8

Uno de los ejercicios más comunes se conoce como respiración 4-7-8. Respire por la nariz mientras cuenta hasta 4. Pause y detenga su respiración mientras cuenta hasta 4 y exhale por la boca mientras cuenta hasta 8. Descargue y comparta la tarjeta de respiración 4-7-8 y la publicación para redes sociales. Encuentre aún más actividades en la caja de activación de la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio 2021 aquí.

Conéctese con miles de personas en todo el país durante la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio utilizando los hashtags: #PrevencióndelSuicidio #DíaMundialparalaPrevencióndelSuicidio

Suicide Prevention Week (September 5-11, 2021) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2021) is a time when individuals and organizations around the country and the world join their voices to broadcast the message that everyone can play a role in suicide prevention and to remember loved ones lost to suicide. We hope you will join us by participating in the Suicide Prevention Week Challenge beginning on Monday, September 6, 2021.

To get started review the attached flyer and download the challenge card!

This is how it works!

1. Download the challenge card and or take a picture and save it to your phone.
2. Review and complete challenges. Check them off on the challenge card!

• Challenge One: Reconnect and Create a Safe Space
• Challenge Two: Find the (Cross) Words
• Challenge Three: Like & Learn about a Suicide Prevention Resource
• Challenge Four: Pause and Breathe
• Challenge Five: Get Involved in World Suicide Prevention Day

3. Post a picture to your social media accounts with the hashtags #Reconnect #SuicidePrevention Not on social media? Email the card to info@suicideispreventable.org.
4. The first 25 posts or emails received before September 30, 2021 will receive a Mental Health Thrival Kit!

The Suicide Prevention Week 2021 Activation Kit theme is: “Supportive Transitions: Reconnect, Reenter, and Rebuild”. Transitions can be conceptualized as an event or series of events that cause fundamental changes in the fabric of daily life – what people do, where they do it, and with whom.   Expected or unexpected, welcomed or unwelcome – transitions can be unsettling and stressful, impacting our mental health and increasing risk factors for suicide. Feeling connected to friends, family, and our community on the other hand is a protective factor for suicide. So, as we reenter and rebuild the fabrics of our daily life that were so fundamentally disrupted, reconnecting with supportive relationships, and practicing positive coping skills is essential for our emotional well-being.

This year’s suicide prevention week kit includes resources in English and Spanish, and many activities that can be done individually, as a group or within communities, as well as virtually or at home. View the Suicide Prevention Week 2021 Activation Kit here for activities such as our brand-new Suicide Prevention Crossword Puzzle, Zoom backgrounds, a proclamation template, social media posts and more!

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

La semana Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (del 5 al 11 de septiembre del 2021) y el Día Mundial de Prevención del Suicidio (10 de septiembre del 2021) y es cuando individuos, organizaciones y comunidades de todo el país unen sus voces para difundir el mensaje que todos pueden desempeñar un papel en la prevención del suicidio y también recordar a seres queridos perdidos a causa del suicidio. Esperamos que se una a nosotros participando en el Reto Actividades de la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio a partir del lunes 6 de septiembre del 2021.

Para comenzar, revise el folleto adjunto y descargue la tarjeta de retos.

¡Así es como funciona!

1. Descargue la tarjeta de retos y o tómele una foto y guárdela en su teléfono.

2. Lea y complete los retos. Márquelos en la tarjeta de desafíos al terminar cada uno.

• Reto Uno: Reconecte y Cree un Espacio Seguro
• Reto Dos: Encuentre las Palabras para Ayudar
• Reto Tres: Aprenda e Infórmese sobre un Recurso para la Prevención del Suicidio
• Reto Cuatro: Pause y Respire
• Reto Cinco: Enciende una vela para el Día Mundial de la Prevención del Suicidio el 10 de Septiembre

3. Publique una imagen en sus cuentas de redes sociales con el hashtag: #PrevencióndelSuicidio. ¿No está en las redes sociales? Envié la tarjeta por correo electrónico a: info@suicideispreventable.org.

4. Las primeras 25 publicaciones o correos electrónicos recibidos antes del 30 de septiembre del 2021 recibirán una caja de activación de la semana de prevención del suicidio.

El tema de la caja de activación de la semana de prevención del 2021 es, “Abarcar los cambios por venir.” Las cosas que pasan en nuestra vida que signifiquen un cambio ya sea planeado o esperado nos impacta a todos, niños, adultos y personas de la tercera edad. Cambios esperados como los no esperados ni planeados, pueden causar ansiedad y ser estresante o confuso. Sabemos que cambios significantes en nuestras vidas pueden afectar nuestra salud mental incluso hasta llevarnos a pensar en el suicidio. Todos tenemos un papel que tomar en el cuidado de sí mismo y de los demás mientras recuperamos, reconectamos y reimaginamos el futuro.

La caja de activación de este año incluye recursos en inglés y español y muchas actividades que pueden lograrse individuamente, en grupo en la comunidad, virtualmente o en casa.  Vea la caja de activación de la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio 2021 aquí para descargar actividades como nuestro nuevo Crucigrama de Prevención del Suicidio, fondos de zoom, una plantilla de proclamaciones, publicaciones en las redes sociales y más.

Conéctese con miles de personas en todo el país durante la Semana de Prevención del Suicidio en línea utilizando los hashtags: #PrevencióndelSuicidio #DiaMundialparalaPrevencióndelSuicidio.