Your Mental Health Matters.

 Stigma and lack of understanding are the main reasons mental illness and suicide remain topics we avoid. People suffering from a mental illness fear others will think they are crazy or weak, or somehow a lesser person. Cultural norms are slowly changing, and people are becoming more aware of the nature of mental illnesses and their impact on a person’s wellbeing. Education will help reduce stigma and save lives.

Alcoholism, drug addiction, HIV and AIDS are examples of medical conditions previously attributed to a weakness or character problems. Today, they are widely recognized as medical disease and people feel comfortable openly discussing the impact of the disease and seeking help through a variety of treatments. The dangers of alcohol and substance abuse have been the subject of major national public health campaigns in the United States, leading to a general public more aware of the value of prevention. Breast cancer is another medical illness that for many years went unspoken, but today receives millions of dollars in research funding, supportive programming and awareness.

Source: Western Michigan University

If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, you should take their distress seriously, listen nonjudgmentally, and help them get to a professional for evaluation and treatment. If someone is in imminent danger of harming himself or herself, do not leave the person alone. You may need to take emergency steps to get help, such as calling 911. When someone is in a suicidal crisis, it is important to limit access to firearms or other lethal means of committing suicide.

Source: The National Institute of Mental Health

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

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Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7

**Validation of somebody’s concerns and feelings is not condoning suicide. 

 If you tell an officer that you are having thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, they will call for paramedics to come check on you. The officer will wait with you until medical assistance arrives.

If you tell a doctor or other medical professional, they will ask you questions to assess your immediate safety. If you are in imminent danger, they may ask you to stay under medical supervision to monitor your safety and help you navigate your feelings or the circumstances that are causing you to feel this way. If you are not in imminent danger, they will speak with you about a safety plan and other resources that you can utilize to help you through your crisis. They will also ask if you have somebody you trust to stay with you and keep you safe.

Disclosing thoughts of self-harm or suicide does not automatically mean that you will be put on

a “hold” or sent to a psychiatric hospital. Every situation is unique and treated as such.