Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for all of us to come together to address the difficult topic of suicide. Bringing Suicide Awareness to our communities helps to provide resources for Veterans in need and their families and also provides communities with tools and education to address the issue. While suicide prevention must be addressed year-round, the month of September reminds us that we can make a difference and help those in crisis and their loved ones. We Can All Help Prevent Suicide Through Awareness.
Below are several great tips from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Press 1 network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention and to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope. The network is available to all people in distress.
ASK – Research shows Veterans who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation. For a Veteran in distress, Veteran-to-Veteran talking or talking to someone who understands Veterans helps a lot.
BE THERE – Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
KEEP THEM SAFE – Several studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently, suicide rates overall decline.
HELP THEM STAY CONNECTED – Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help those individuals take positive action and reduce their feelings of hopelessness.
FOLLOW-UP – Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an essential part of suicide awareness and prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals, care services, or the military.
Betheoneconnects.org is an excellent NEW resource tool for Veterans and their families. It’s part of Post 68’s American Legion BE THE ONE initiative (https://www.legion.org/betheone).
John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 will have another community roll-out of Betheoneconnects.org on Tuesday, September 10, 10am at the Leland Campus of Brunswick Community College (2045 Enterprise Dr. NE, Leland, NC 28451). The session is open to all members of the public, veterans, and First Responders. For questions concerning the program or the resource tool, contact John Hacker at [email protected].