September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, offer support, and remind everyone that they are never alone. In the United States, suicide is responsible for about one death every 11 minutes, a devastating statistic that highlights the need for ongoing efforts to prevent this tragedy.
Fortunately, there are resources and events right here in our community that can make a difference. One of the most powerful tools available is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We can also work to support suicide prevention by attending upcoming local events like the "Stop the Stigma" Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5K Race and the East Central Indiana Out of the Darkness Walk.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: A Lifeline for Hope
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a free, confidential service available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress or crisis. Whether you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenges, calling or texting 988 connects you directly with a trained crisis counselor who will listen, provide support, and connect you with the resources you need. These conversations are free and confidential.
The lifeline isn’t just for those in crisis—it’s also a resource for friends, family members, and others who may be concerned about a loved one. By dialing 988, you can find guidance on how to support someone who may be struggling, how to initiate difficult conversations, and where to get local help. You may also text 988 to begin a conversation via SMS.
For more information, visit 988lifeline.org. On their website, you can also chat with 988 Crisis Lifeline staff if you prefer to do so instead of a phone call. There is also an option online as well for those who communicate through ASL. Help is only three numbers away—no one has to face their struggles alone.
Join Us at Upcoming Community Suicide Prevention Events
One way we can fight suicide in our community is by coming together for events like the Margaret Mary Health’s “Stop the Stigma” Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5K Race. This non-competitive event is open to walkers and runners of all ages and abilities, with all proceeds benefiting Margaret Mary Health Foundation’s Addiction Services & Behavioral Health Fund. Visit their website today to register for the race and make your donation count!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 14
Time:
9:00am: Registration & Resource Area Opens
9:45am: Welcome & Presentation
10:00am: 5K Race Begins
11:00am: Resource Area Closes
Location: Margaret Mary Outpatient & Cancer Center in Batesville, Indiana
In addition to the race, there will be a resource area where participants and spectators can learn more about local mental health services, suicide prevention resources, and ways to get involved in ongoing community efforts. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness, show support for those affected by suicide, and contribute to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
On Saturday, October 12th, at 10:00am at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting the East Central Indiana Out of the Darkness Walk! This event aims to raise critical funding needed to advance the important cause of suicide prevention throughout the East Central Indiana region. You can make your donation, register for the event, and learn about how you can volunteer to support the event by visiting their website.
By attending and bringing our friends and family with us to either of these community events, we can make a significant difference in supporting suicide prevention efforts in our community!
How You Can Help Prevent Suicide
Preventing suicide takes a community-wide effort. Here are some ways you can help:
Know the Warning Signs: It is important to be aware of and to be able to recognize the common warning signs that a child or adult may be considering suicide. If you notice these signs, reach out to the person and offer your support.
Suicide Warnings for Youth:
Talking about or making plans for suicide.
Expressing hopelessness about the future.
Displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress.
Changing or withdrawing from social connections or situations.
Changes in sleep (increased or decreased).
Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context.
Recent increased agitation or irritability.
Suicide Warnings for Adults:
Talking about or making plans for suicide.
Acting anxious, agitated, or behaving recklessly.
Talking about being a burden to others.
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Sleeping too little or too much.
Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Start Conversations: Begin by asking how they are doing and don’t be afraid to ask, from a place of genuine compassion and concern, if they have been contemplating suicide. Talking about it lessens any sense of guilt or shame they may be feeling.
Demonstrate your concern through active listening. By coming across as non-judgmental and accepting, and by focusing on listening and allowing them to control the pace of the conversation, you will offer them the space and support they need to meaningfully express themselves and share what they are struggling with.
Share Resources: As the conversation draws to a close, encourage them to use professional mental health specialists like those available at the 988 Crisis Lifeline or through local mental health providers like INcompass Healthcare or when they search online through treatment search tools like TreatmentAtlas. Additionally, recommend them to visit the resources page of One Community One Family’s website for an up-to-date list of resources available in their community. SAMHSA also recognizes September as National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month with website pages for each cause connecting to a large variety of reports, guides, and resources on that subject. People struggling with substance-use can also turn to 1Voice in Aurora, Indiana for support. Knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
Get Involved: Whether it’s attending community events like the "Stop the Stigma" Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5K Race or the East Central Indiana Out of the Darkness Walk, volunteering, or simply raising awareness on social media or in your everyday conversations, every action counts in the effort to raise awareness of and prevent suicide.
Additionally, you can attend Mental Health First Aid and Question Persuade Refer suicide prevention training sessions. Both of these training programs will inform you to be better able to spot warning signs and support the mental health of those around you. You can visit our website to see all upcoming training sessions or request one in the future in your Southeastern Indiana county.
Further, individuals who want to be a part of leading the effort in our community to prevent suicide can get involved in the Southeastern Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition. This group meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 10:00 to 11:00am at the One Community One Family office on 920 County Line Road in Suite C. Please email Jason Scott at jason.scott9@va.gov to join the coalition and help us lead the movement to prevent suicides in our community!
Together, we can make a difference. Let’s use Suicide Prevention Month to show that hope is real, help is available, and no one in our community has to struggle alone!