Suicide Prevention Awareness

September is National Suicide Prevention Month in the United States. As a mental health private practice, individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts are close to our hearts. At ABT Counseling, we believe that everyone has a role in helping to prevent suicide, including mental health professionals.

ABT Counseling is partnering with the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline (988) to raise awareness of suicide prevention through the “#Bethe1to” campaign. This year’s campaign outlines how medical professionals, support persons, and community members can “be the one to help save a life” and prevent suicide.

Five Steps to Suicide Prevention

The Bethe1to campaign focuses on five, effective action steps to use when communicating with someone who is considering suicide:

1. Ask

Asking someone directly about suicide communicates that you are open to supportive discussion. Follow through and truly listen to what they have to say.

2. Be There

Show up to support in whichever manner you’re comfortable – in person, over the phone, etc. Be careful not to overcommit yourself to someone; if you can’t be physically or verbally present, help them identify people who can be there with them.

3. Help Keep Them Safe

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, putting time and distance between people and their chosen method can help reduce lethality. Considering the “how” and the “why” of someone’s approach can help identify necessary details to limit or prevent access to harm.

4. Help Them Connect

Helping someone establish ongoing support and develop a “safety net” creates a plan for ongoing or future thoughts of self-harm. Consider which resources are naturally present in a person’s life and which resources, such as a counselor or psychiatric medication management provider, might be added.

5. Follow Up

Checking in afterward with a person can help continue a sense of connectedness and support. This follow-up might look like a text or a phone call but has a significant impact on a person’s recovery.

How can you prevent suicide?

For more information and resources about suicide prevention visit the Bethe1to campaign website.  If you or someone you care about is contemplating suicide, consider calling 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline for 24/7 assistance. Text, chat, and ASL are now available.

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