#suicide prevention awareness month

[crazycatsiren]

Since it's Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I just want to say this one thing: when someone trusts you enough to confide in you about feeling suicidal, what you should absolutely not do is call the authorities on them.

[evannhansensletters]

I’ve officially turned 20 today. And not to mention September is also Suicide prevention awareness month.

Looking back on all these past miserable years; telling myself it’s going to get better. Well, it isn’t. It’s going to stay the safe. There’s nothing else to change that. Life sucks. It’s only purpose is that it end, I’m hoping for that day to come soon. I’m not going to change either. I’ll still be the same weird loser who sits alone. The one who still gets tormented. The one who’s name nobody cares to know. Life is only a struggle, a desperate, empty, meaningless struggle. All of one’s energy is spent on living with the hope that it will be better, knowing that it only will to be for an instant, until it inevitably sinks back to a worse state. Even those brief moments. That flicker of happiness or joy, are only illusions, a false sense, that in the end leaves nothing behind but disappointment and a sense of failure. It is not a life, it is a hopeless, eternal suffering. Every step forward, every effort of making something better, is useless, for it only leads back onto the same old path, back to the same place where the struggle begins again, where one is trapped in an endless cycle of hoping for something better, until they realize that this is all there is. A hopeless existence, with no way out.

Whenever I feel this way, I’ll rethink of all my past memories. That either haunt me or comfort me. Whichever way it goes, I’m never going to have that flicker of innocence. I’m full of sin and dishonor. So today, I’m spending my entire 20th birthday inside a church. Praying on my knees to change and become the human everyone wants of me. Give me back my purity. Why do I have to be so disgusting and repulsive. I want everything I’ve lost back. If I pray hard enough, maybe I’ll change my sexuality. My thought, my mentality, my physic, my, well, everything. Im a walking sin for liking my own gender. I think I deserve to rot for that.

I’m 20 now, but I can’t fully wrap my head around it. I was just 17 yesterday. Lying to everyone’s faces. This isn’t a cry for help, because I’m tired of that. No amount of medication, therapy, mental health awareness, or people can change that. I am me and I hate that fact. I won’t bother trying to attempt, judging by how I’ve failed twice. But this post wasn’t meant to for pity and sympathy. It’s just what I’ve wanted to say for a long time.

Hello,, OOC here!!!

This is probably the worst thing I’ve ever written. Hope this doesn’t make others cry.

No, this isn’t evans last post so don’t worry about that chat😔😔💔

[anxietyaware]

Facing Anxiety Before the Out of the Darkness Walk

As this week leads up to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness walk”, I am feeling a mix of emotions. I have participated in this walk for at least six years but this year feels very different. In the past few years, I have begun fundraising and posting about the walk months before the event. It is usually at the beginning of the year. However, this time I didn’t…

[christianblogr]

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Breaking the Silence

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Breaking the Silence with a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and offering support to those affected by this serious issue. It's a crucial opportunity to dispel misconceptions, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Breaking the Silence with a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and offering support to those affected by this serious issue. It’s a crucial opportunity to dispel misconceptions, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Breaking the…

[tears-that-heal]

2nd pillow prototype…..

Started on another mini message pillow with mental health in mind.❤️‍🩹 September is National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month 💚

It’s a passion of mine to help and support this cause. I will be creating future items related to these topic as my shop grows! 🧵🪡

artist on ko-fi @elenatorchchild

[lovealexhunt]

If you've followed me for any length of time, you would know that mental health awareness and suicide prevention are two topics that I hold very close to my heart.

I've struggled with depression and anxiety since I was a child. My parents didn't believe in mental health challenges and so my struggles were ignored and I was made to feel as though my struggles weren't real and something was wrong with me. I buried my mental health issues, hiding behind a mask of perfectionism and over-achieving. Those I saw in school or work, never know how greatly I struggled. However, hiding how I felt only made things worse and I struggled with suicide thoughts and attempts for a few years before finally seeing a doctor to get help.

I take medication for both depression and anxiety. These medications help take the edge off but they're not a cure. They aren't a magic pill that makes everything okay again. But they help and for that I am grateful.

I still struggle with depression and anxiety on a daily basis. There are days when the suicide thoughts creep back out, but through my experiences and working to raise awareness, I feel strong enough to remind myself they are just thoughts and I don't have to act on them. I hope that if it ever got that bad again, I would use some of the strategies from above: focusing on creative works, reaching out to others, trying to find reasons to be grateful.

Thinking positively or thinking "happy thoughts" is not easy. Sometimes I see and encouraging quote and they make me mad because I can't feel that way right now, but I still save them, because maybe tomorrow, that little reminder will be just what i need.

If you know me, I believe in the small little acts to make a difference. I've been making mental health awareness and suicide prevention posts for several years now, but I don't think I've ever had an image dedicated to small acts of kindness.

We don't know what anyone is facing (in person or virtually/online). With some, spotting signs of depression and suicidal tendencies is easier to spot. These individuals display more common signs and symptoms. But there are many more people who are high-functioning. On the surface, they seem put together, but underneath they are struggling. It is because of this that I so strongly believe in little acts of kindness: sending an encouraging word, checking in on others, giving little compliments here and there... these are small things, but you never know how big of an impact they can make.

Please continue to raise and spread awareness for depression and suicide prevention. It's only together that we can make a difference.

[pnutbutter-n-j-elyy]

Suicide Prevention Month

TW: Mentions of Suicide, Depression, Death, Familial Issues

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, I want to share something that’s been weighing on me for a long time. From ages 11 to 19, I tried—five different times—to end my life. I was convinced that the darkness was all there was, that there was nothing beyond the pain I felt. But now, almost 20 years old, I’ve realized how wrong I was. If any of those attempts had succeeded, I wouldn’t be here to experience all the beauty and opportunity this life has to offer.

It’s hard to put into words just how much I’ve learned about myself over the years. I’ve been through more pain than I ever thought I could endure. There were moments when it felt like even the darkness was too bright for me, and all I wanted was for everything to stop. Some days, that feeling still lingers. Some days, I wake up and wish I had succeeded. I find myself staring at a blank page with a pen clutched in my hand, or a blank screen with my hands over the keyboard, wondering if anyone would stand at my grave if I disappeared. 

But here’s what I’ve come to understand: If I have a reason to write a note, I have a reason to keep living. The very act of wanting to leave something behind, a final word or explanation, means there’s something still holding me here. Something still worth fighting for, even if I can’t always see it in the moment.

Life isn’t easy. I know firsthand what it’s like to feel like the world has turned its back on you. 

My life is far from perfect. I’m still dealing with things that weigh me down, wounds that have never fully healed.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been trying to reconcile what it means to be "unwanted." And for a long time, I thought that meant I didn’t deserve to be here.There are times when I still feel like I’m on the outside looking in, struggling with rejection from the people who are supposed to love me unconditionally. When I was 18, I almost died in a car accident, and my mother didn’t shed a single tear. I can vividly remember lying in that hospital bed, watching her scroll through her phone as if my being there was nothing more than an inconvenience.

I still feel the weight of that day. But the most painful moment was later, during a heated argument when I broke down and whispered, "I wish I had died." My mother, who had started a new family with my stepfather and seemed to drift away more and more each second had shot back immediatelt "Well, too bad you didn’t."

It was in that moment, more than any other, that I truly felt abandoned—like I was nothing but an obligation to her. It was the moment I realized the cage I felt trapped in was my own hope that my mother might one day see me, acknowledge me, love me the way I had longed for her to. That kind of pain—the pain of abandonment, of never being enough for the people who are supposed to love you the most—it doesn’t go away overnight. Maybe it never fully goes away at all.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the pain isn’t forever. No matter how much it hurts right now, it won’t always hurt this bad. Over time, it becomes easier to carry. There are days now where I can breathe again, where I’m reminded that life still has so much left for me to experience.And that i deserve to be here. That God put me on this planet for a reason. That whatever you believe in - God, Allah, the Universe, Science- there is a reason why you are here. And if I deserve to be here- so do you.

No matter how hard life gets, and trust me, it gets unbearably hard sometimes, there is still so much left to experience. There’s still love to be found, friendships to build, moments of pure joy and connection that you can’t even begin to imagine when you’re stuck in that dark place. If those five attempts had worked, I never would’ve had the chance to meet new people, to maybe one day fall in love, to start a family of my own. I wouldn’t be here, sitting at my desk, writing this, hoping that my words reach even just one person who needs to hear it.

Sometimes, when things feel like they’re too much, I find solace in the small, ordinary moments. The smell of coffee in the morning. The feeling of dread when I see a spider and know I have to deal with it. The excitement of seeing a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, or the simple contentment of putting my thoughts on paper. Life isn’t just made up of the big, earth-shattering moments; it’s these small, everyday experiences that give it meaning.

I’ll be honest—there are days when I still struggle. Days where I feel like I’m slipping back into that tunnel where the light at the end seems unreachable. I know that feeling well. I’m going through it right now, in fact. It hits me hard, especially knowing that even during my lowest points, there were no tears shed for me. That’s a kind of pain that lingers.

But even in the midst of that pain, I’ve learned something important: suicide is a permanent solution to a set of temporary problems. I’m not saying that life will magically get better overnight, or that you won’t face hardships moving forward. You will. Life doesn’t pull any punches. But what I am saying is that there are bright, beautiful days ahead of you, ones that you can’t even fathom yet. There are people you’ll meet along the way who will walk with you, hold your hand, and help you face whatever’s ahead. You don’t have to be scared to face those days alone.

There are people in my life who I rely on heavily—people who don’t even know how much they mean to me because I don’t want to burden them with my struggles. Sometimes it’s the smallest things they do that make the biggest difference. And that’s something I’ve learned recently: even when you feel like a burden, even when you feel like no one cares, there are people who love and need you, even if they don’t always show it in the way you hope they would.

You are loved. You are needed. And I know that might be hard to believe right now, but trust me, it’s true. If I could go back and talk to that 11-year-old me, the one who thought that the only way out was to end it all, I’d tell her to hang on. That the future, while uncertain and sometimes terrifying, is full of possibility. That there are so many more smiles to smile, more laughs to laugh, more songs to hear, more stories to live.

I’ve lived 19 years as an adult. Almost 20. And it’s only now that I’m starting to experience that pure, childlike wonder I thought was lost to me forever. It’s only now that I’m beginning to see what’s truly possible in life. And if any of those five attempts had succeeded, I would’ve missed out on all of it. On the hope of finding love, of giving my future children the kind of love I yearned for growing up. On the anticipation of doing great things. On the nervous indecisiveness of realizing that my future is wide open, waiting for me to step into it.

So if you feel like you can’t take another day, I want you to know that it *will* get better. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But eventually, you’ll reach the end of that tunnel. And when you do, there will be people waiting for you, ready to help pull you through. Stay for them. Stay for the small moments you haven’t experienced yet, the ones that seem insignificant but make life worth living. Stay because your story isn’t over yet, and you are the one who gets to write the next chapter.

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to feel lost. But know this—you are strong enough to get through it. I’ve been there. But I’m still here, and I’m asking you to stay, too. Stay to see the good that’s still waiting for you. Stay to laugh, to cry, to feel all the things that make life real. Stay, because you are loved, even when you can’t see it. You matter more than you know.

You are the author of your story. It’s not finished yet, and the best chapters are still ahead. Stay for them. Stay for you. 

You matter. Your life matters. And the world is a better place with you in it.

[tobysbliss]

September is suicide prevention month.

I’m happy to say i’m still here, after multiple attempts. My story however is long so I’m not getting into that,,

If you are struggling, you are not alone, even if you may think you are. If you have friends who are struggling or you may think they’re struggling, please be there. Be there for them. Talk with them, about literally anything. Listen to them. You could save their life. Check on the ones you love, please.

September is suicide prevention month, and if you are still here, I’m beyond proud of you.

[itzmaztercom]

September is suicide prevention month.. to all those who wanted or tried to commit suicide or lost someone this way ❤️‍🩹 💕

[anxiety-banana]

In honor of September being suicide prevention month, here are some ways to help your depressed/suicidal friends:

-"I'm glad you exist" texts go a long way, but "I love that you do (insert specific action)" and "my favorite thing about you is ()" texts go further. Be specific. It's hard to see yourself in any good detail when you're suicidal

-Text them. Incessantly, if you have to. Small "I miss your face" and "this reminded me of you" texts. I've known people who have said "if nobody talks to me/contacts me/takes interest in me today, that'll be the sign to kill myself" and a text genuinely saves lives.

-Help them discover and rediscover hobbies. When you're depressed, the first thing to go is your motivation, and finding things that bring you any amount of satisfaction is important. Offer to volunteer at an animal shelter with them, or put together a little scrap book, or go somewhere scenic to take pictures.

-A lot of suicidal people are known to self harm. If you notice these tendencies (scratching, picking at skin, rubbing or putting pressure on body parts, etc.) you can be subtle about helping them. Hold their hand so they don't scratch, or offer a hair tie to snap against their wrist, or ask to draw on them. All these things are super helpful without being obvious or embarrassing.

-If they're known to be suicidal, you don't have to talk about it unless it's obviously concerning. A lot of people who attempted don't want to relive it, even if they're in a better place than they were.

-Join in on simple self care needs: go out to eat with them, or grab food to eat elsewhere if they're anxious to eat around people, go swimming if showering is hard, have a little sleepover like you were both kids and do all the basic activities (brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, eating dinner etc.) together. This is best if you're really close to the person, but there are also ways to do this if you aren't super close.

If you have anymore, please add them! These are just the ones I've gathered both as the depressed person and the caretaker, but I know there are plenty more.

[ineedfairypee]

If it’s uncomfortable to hear about imagine how it feels to experience it

[destinyc1020]

Do you need help with your mental health? If you don't know where to start, this infographic may help guide you. https://go.nih.gov/mxZl1X3  #shareNIMH

September is National Suicide Prevention Month 🙏🏾

You're not alone ❤️

[broken-moss-creature]

DONT FORGET!!!

September is the national suicide prevention month

Check in with your friends every once in a while, you never know what someone is going through

Love yall <3

[thecorvidforest]

september is suicide prevention month. this is my message to parents.

believe your children when they tell you they’re feeling suicidal. believe them every single time. even if they tell you every single day. even if they seem happy. even if you think they have no reason to be depressed. even if they’ve never shown signs of depression before. even if they have a history of lying for attention. believe them every time.

when it comes to children (or adults for that matter) self-reporting suicidal ideation it does not matter if they are lying. repeat after me - it does not matter.

if you disbelieve them and they’re telling the truth you could end up with a dead child. if you disbelieve them and they’re lying, all you’ve done is shown yourself to be a parent who is not safe to go to in the event your child actually experiences ideation, because they will not be believed. you’ve shown yourself to be a parent who trusts their child so little that they’ll even question something as heavy as suicidal ideation.

most of the time if a person feels the need to lie about something as serious as suicidal ideation, it points to something very wrong under the surface. feeling un-cared for, being bullied, undiagnosed mental disorders etc. are all potential reasons why someone would lie about feeling suicidal. sometimes it’s easier to say “i want to die” than it is to say “i feel like you don’t care about me”. that doesn’t mean you should ever, ever express disbelief.

knowing your parent doesn’t believe you when you say you’re suicidal is agonizing, especially to a young person. there is nothing about disbelieving your child that speaks to you caring about their mental health and wellbeing. it is extremely destructive and neglectful at best.

to be vulnerable for a moment - in my own experience, my ideation being disbelieved shattered every ounce of trust i had in my parents. it destroyed my self-esteem. i came to the conclusion that i was never loved in the first place, and therefore i must be inherently unlovable. it convinced me that i didn’t deserve to live, because my own parents didn’t seem to value my life.

believe your kids.

[tears-that-heal]

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ❤️🩷💜

[lovealexhunt]

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is the most preventable form of death and yet the number of suicide victims rises each year despite increased awareness.

Why is that?

I can't answer it for everyone, but from what I've seen in my life, although people are aware, they don't understand.

I am a suicide surviver. Although I have not attempted suicide in over a decade, the thoughts linger from time to time. Sometimes it's just an intrusive thought that I can let go of. Sometimes it's a lot more and it is a lot more dangerous, but I am trying every day and that is all I can ask of anyone.

I am grateful to have found support here/online. However, people in my own life continue to belittle and invalidate my feelings. That makes me feel isolated, alone, and like there's something wrong with me. It makes me feel like I have no value.

I imagine it's hard to understand what goes through a person's head when they're suicidal if you've never felt that way. It's hard to validate someone's emotions when you (as an outsider) can rationalize them. But the problem with that is, those people don't know and they can't understand how those thoughts actually feel.

I am a very logical and rational person most of the time. However, when my depression is bad, I can't think rationally. The dark thoughts are consuming and I believe them. I know it's the depression talking. I know it's my anxiety talking. I know it's the past trauma I suffered haunting me. And yet, I still can't control those thoughts.

Those people who have never felt that way, think that rationalizing things, sharing comparing stories, or reminding you your life is good will help, but it doesn't. Not in those moments. That's what people who don't suffer have to understand.

I can try to explain that. I can raise awareness. I can shout from the rooftops trying to get people to understand. But the fact is, I can't make anyone change their thinking if they don't want to.

Suicide is a tragedy.

However, being suicidal is seen an inconvenience or a a way of "seeking attention." It is dismissed.

The same people who will cry over a friend's suicide, and wonder how they didn't see it are the same people who will tell the next person to "get over it", "your life's not that bad", "when I was in your situation..." They either don't see it or they don't care enough and that is the problem.

Suicide is preventable, but not without support. Support requires people that are not suicidal to better educate themselves beyond awareness to understanding and how to help.

You would never tell a cancer patient they're being dramatic and looking for attention when they share their struggles. You would never tell someone having a heart attack to "get over it." You would never belittle a mother who suffered a miscarriage by comparing them to someone else.

So why do that to someone suffering with mental health struggles?

Yes, there the stigma surrounding mental health and medication is improving, but we have a long way to go. That starts today and every day after.

Raising awareness is fine, but raising understanding is necessary meaningful change.