September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and remind ourselves of something profoundly important: reaching out can save a life.
When someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, loneliness or overwhelming life circumstances, it isn’t always obvious. People who are experiencing suicidal thoughts may not look or act the way we expect. They may continue going to work, caring for their families, attending school and interacting with friends, while privately struggling with enormous emotional pain.
That is why knowing the warning signs, and being willing to ask, is so important.
Someone who may be considering suicide might begin talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, worthless or being a burden to others. They may say they have no reason to live or that people would be better off without them. Other warning signs can include withdrawing from friends and family, dramatic changes in mood or behavior, increased use of alcohol or drugs, giving away possessions, saying goodbye in an unusual way, or suddenly appearing unusually calm after a period of severe distress.
None of these signs by themselves means someone is suicidal. But a significant change in someone’s behavior is a reason to pay attention.
And perhaps the most important thing we can do is simply ask.
Many people worry that bringing up suicide will put the idea into someone’s head. It won’t. Asking directly and compassionately, “Are you thinking about suicide?” can actually provide an opportunity for someone to talk about what they are experiencing. Listen without judgment. Don’t minimize their pain or rush to offer solutions. Let them know they don’t have to face it alone.
If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, take them seriously. Stay with them if you believe they are in immediate danger, help reduce access to anything they could use to hurt themselves, and connect them with professional or emergency support. Calling or texting 988 connects people with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
For those who are struggling, therapy can be an important part of finding a way forward. A therapist provides a confidential, nonjudgmental place to talk openly about thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to share with family or friends. Therapy can help people understand what is contributing to their distress, develop healthier ways of coping, challenge hopeless or destructive thinking, strengthen relationships and create a plan for navigating future crises.
Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of self-care and, sometimes, an essential step toward staying alive.
Suicide prevention doesn’t require us to have all the answers. It requires us to notice, listen and act. Check in on the friend who has been unusually quiet. Call the family member who seems to be struggling. Take someone’s pain seriously. And if you are the one who is hurting, please tell someone.
You don’t have to solve everything today. You simply need to take the next step and allow someone to take it with you.
Eden Garcia-Balis is the CEO of Westchester’s Airport Marina Counseling Service. She has been in the mental health field for more than 20 years. Eden has a passion for working with the underprivileged and underserved and believes all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, deserve quality mental health services they can afford. Eden is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Learn more about AMCS at amcshelps.com.
By Eden Garcia-Balis