September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
Like any other health emergency, it is important to address a mental health crisis like suicide quickly and effectively. If a friend or family member struggles with suicidal ideation day-to-day, let them know that they can talk with you about what they are going through. Make sure that you adopt an open and compassionate mindset when they are talking. Instead of “arguing” or trying to disprove any negative statements they make, try active listening techniques such as reflecting their feelings and summarizing their thoughts. This can help your loved one feel heard and validated.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
- 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year and more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth
- 11.8% of young adults say they experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year.
While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.
Take Action:
- Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency
- Awareness Resources to Share
- Attach the suicide prevention design elements to your email signature and/or use it in your social media
- Additional Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available by calling 800-273-8255, or message “NAMI” to 741-741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- UNC Resources
- The UNC Counseling Center has quick-access virtual appointments from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 970-351-2496 or emailing unccounselingcenter@unco.edu.
- The Psychological Services Clinic also offers telehealth appointments by calling 970-351-1645.
For more information, please visit NAMI. For additional education and personal development related to diversity, equity and inclusion, the following resources are available: DDEI Education and Resources, DEI & Antiracism Resources from the UNC Libraries, the Education Equity Toolkit from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the UNITE workshops for faculty, staff, and students.
