Community, Communication, and Group Walks (National Suicide Prevention)

There are five steps to preventing suicide and to help someone, to reduce the stigma, and to bring awareness for National Suicide Prevention Month. You can bring awareness on social media by taking a picture with your hand holding up five fingers and include a message on social media about taking the five steps to preventing suicide. Additionally, you can take a community walk and have a conversation about preventing suicide in your walking group. Another way to bring awareness for suicide prevention is by having check-ins with family members and friends. Share the Take 5 Action Steps on your social media pages and when you send an email. 

Alternatively, you can share the Take 5 Action Steps in a text message. Yet, be prepared ahead of time for what you would tell someone about suicide prevention. There are times when you or someone that you know has a loss of words to help others who are experiencing grief. Get to know them better with understanding, respect, and with active listening. Ensure they feel safe speaking about it and can accept your help. 

Often being too direct about certain topics can make someone feel uncomfortable about themselves. Other times it can cause shame, defensiveness, or other unexpected reactions. However, asking someone how they feel without interrupting them, jumping to conclusions, or assuming that they are fine can help someone speak about suicide prevention. Be available for them and do not leave them alone. Notice any changes in behavior, comments that are about feeling hopeless, withdrawn, or feeling disconnected. 

Ask questions to begin a conversation for suicide prevention. Offer to help someone by being available for them, do healthy hobbies together, and spend time with them to speak about what is bothering them. By participating in a community group walk or the Out of Darkness Walks can make a difference for everyone's wellness. If you know anyone who would like to join you in a community group walk to bring awareness for National Suicide Prevention Month; Invite them and speak about experiences and how they can help others to prevent it. Finally, wear teal and purple to bring awareness or plant a flower in memory of a loved one with an engraved stone in your garden to bring awareness.

Get to know your neighbors in your community if it is possible. Always connect with them and feel safe when communicating with your neighbors. Do check-ins with your family, friends, and neighbors to demonstrate your kindness and prevent suicide in your community. Also, get the necessary resources for having conversations for suicide prevention. Seek the 988 hotline and make them feel safe by using words of kindness. 

Make them feel supported, welcomed, respected, and be part of the community. Improve your communication with them and focus on what they tell you. Participate in group walks for suicide prevention and wear teal with purple. During your group walks practice mindfulness, carry a teal or purple battery-operated candle, and have conversations about preventing suicide. As well as having a memorial garden area in your home with teal, purple, and with items that remind you of your loved one. 

Losing someone and grieving after experiencing the loss of a loved one due to suicide can be difficult to understand. After the years go by it can still feel confusing, difficult, and can make you be speechless about losing a loved one. Nonetheless, share your experiences and include informative resources to prevent suicide. It can be challenging at first but knowing that you are helping someone to prevent it can help both of you feel stronger to overcome difficulties. Here are websites with more information for National Suicide Prevention Month. 

 

National Suicide Prevention Month:

National Suicide Prevention Month | AFSP

Suicide Prevention-Take 5 to Save Lives:

Suicide Prevention | Take 5 To Save Lives

Get Help-988 Lifeline:

Get Help - 988 Lifeline

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