Bringing awareness allows individuals to educate themselves about a particular disease, cause, or movement. Mental health awareness month has become widely known throughout the years and personally, I think it has helped promote education on self-care along with not judging people who have mental health challenges.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We personally may not know how people are feeling who have suicide ideations, however, it’s critical to be present and let them know you care. Some people believe because they cannot “fix” someone’s issues, they cannot be supportive or any value to someone who is experiencing suidcide ideations. Negative thoughts can spiral down rapidly and when people feel alone or don’t have the support they need, it becomes challenging to fight negative thoughts.
How To Find Support
It’s important to have your support system and things to do when you are not feeling your best. Those days may come but having support can help and encourage along the way.
Identify your support system now: this is the best time to sit and think about who you can reach out to for support. You do not want to wait until you are going through a tough time, because support may not be what or who you are thinking about, especially when if you are in a crisis. A support person is something you talk to often and share your thoughts and values. Think of it like this…who do you call when you hear good news? That individual can be identified as one of your supporters.
Who do you talk to on the regular? Our friends and family have a way of knowing our behaviors better than we do. They are the first person we talk to when something happens. If something is not going right, they can more than likely feel it. Have a conversation with them and let them know you view them as one of your supporters. Don’t expect them to play this role without having that conversation first…this is important!
Inform your supporters how to best help you: this goes along with the conversation, tell your supporters what you want them to do if you are not feeling your best. Some people like to be left alone, others like to be engrossed amongst their friends. Provide your supporters with any contact information they may need, for example, your parents, spouse, or even therapist. If something is not right your supporter can reach out to other close friends of yours so they too can keep an eye out. If you have a therapist, your friend can give your therapist a heads up or provide any concerns they may have.
It takes a village and we all need support. At times we have challenges identifying who we can call our supporters, however, these tips are helpful and I encourage you to follow them. If you are looking for more ways to find support please know our magazine helps by providing content from clinicians, individuals with lived experience and others who make mental health a priority. I would love to know how do you find your support system? Have you used some of the tips I provided in this article, share your comments below as it may help someone in the future.