National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Erie County, Ohio
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and together we can educate and prevent suicide in Sandusky, Ohio. Each September is a time to raise awareness, spark hope, and catalyze meaningful action around one of public health’s most urgent and impactful mental health issues. Talking about suicide is not harmful–silence is. Checking in on a friend and starting a genuine conversation can be a crucial, life-saving turning point for someone who’s struggling. This September, we encourage community and conversations. You are not alone.
What Questions Should I Ask Someone?
If someone you know talks about taking their own life, it’s normal if you don’t know what to do. It can be upsetting and uncertain–but there are questions you can ask that can save a life. Taking action is the best choice, regardless of whether you know the person is serious or not. At the Erie County Health Department, we believe curating a warm, comfortable atmosphere is an important foundation for a tough conversation.
Start with questions – be sensitive, compassionate, but direct. This first step is to find out whether the person is in danger of acting on feelings about suicide. Ask the person directly about their feelings, even though it may be awkward. You could start out with a general question, such as “How are you feeling?” Listen to what the person has to say and take it seriously. Just talking to someone who really cares can make a big difference. Some examples:
- How are you coping with what’s been happening in your life?
- Do you ever feel like just giving up?
- Are you thinking about dying?
- Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
- Are you thinking about suicide?
- Have you ever thought about suicide before or tried to harm yourself before?
- Have you thought about how or when you’d do it?
- Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?
Discussing suicide will not push a person into suicide. Giving someone a safe space to talk openly about feelings and negative thoughts can provide relief and may reduce the person’s risk of acting on those feelings.
What Decreases Suicidal Ideation?
Suicidal thoughts typically precede suicide attempts – but there are ways to decrease that suicidal ideation which, subsequently, prevents suicidal behavior. Some particularly effective ways include engaging in distracting and social activities, and mindfulness-oriented strategies.
Distractions and Positive Activities
- Socializing: grabbing coffee with a friend, calling a loved one, taking a walk with your sibling
- Positive thinking: repeating affirmations, practicing gratitude, self-compassion
- Self-care: practicing good hygiene, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, reading a book, denying activities that drain your energy
Mindfulness-Oriented Strategies
- Finding Perspective: stepping back from feelings to see larger picture, orienting yourself outside of current emotions, and physically grounding yourself
- Calming self: taking a walk, taking deep breaths, grounding yourself with your physical environment
- Sitting with feelings: allow uncomfortable feelings, name the emotion, treat the feeling like a passing cloud that is not permanent
- Social connections, supportive environments, keeping busy – but not overworked – and mindful coping strategies can help decrease suicidal ideation and reveal your sense of purpose or reasons for living.
Can You Recover from Suicidal Ideation?
Suicide should always be taken seriously and can be intermittent throughout a person’s life. Anyone can help people in a suicidal crisis in such a way that urges them toward recovery. Reserving judgement, actively listening, and promoting self-empowerment are aspects you can provide to a friend or loved one who is experiencing suicidal ideation to help them feel more hopeful and calm. Being a friend and skilled listener helps pull people from crisis toward recovery – something difficult, but nowhere near impossible.
Mental illness is not equivalent to inevitable doom. Most of the time, those who attempt or die by suicide do not actually want to die: they want the pain of their circumstances within their life to end. It’s the role of surrounding people – friends, mentors, loved ones – to spark hope and provide unwavering support. Anyone can help someone considering suicide back into recovery – this month, let’s make it a priority to be there for the ones we love.
You Have the Power to Save a Life
It’s important to check up on those you love – this September, let’s come together to ensure nobody feels alone. Reach out to a friend or loved one to ensure their well-being is good. If you are struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, reach out to a mental health counselor. The Erie County Health Department/Erie County Community Health Center is here for you every step of the way – because recovery is possible.
Recommended Resources:
Clinically reviewed by the medical professionals at the Erie County Health Department.