Letter to the Editor: Reach out to someone, ask for help: Together we can stop suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is when all of us need to step up and do more to reach out to others who need help. We can do more to prevent suicides. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s theme for the month is “Together, We Can Help #StopSuicide.” It’s true, but more people are needed to spread the word. It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to talk about certain thoughts. It’s OK to reach out to someone and suggest they get the help they need.

Suicide prevention is a must. I lost my brother-in-law last year to suicide and have struggled with those same feelings myself for as long as I can remember. I know how helpless people feel. They feel like they have no one to turn to. We need to step up together as a community to help prevent suicide before people think that’s their only choice.

To help #StopSuicide, I am contacting my public officials and urging them to prioritize funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and our local call centers. In July 2022, “988” will be fully operational as the universal phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This number will increase access to much-needed mental health and suicide crisis supports. Calls are expected to increase substantially when the 988 number goes fully live. We need to encourage our public officials to provide funding to support our local crisis centers, so they can aid the people who need help! Do something. Anything. Give them a call. Write a quick email. Please.

Do it for the people you know who are struggling.

Together, we all can help #StopSuicide.

Jen Staley

Marydel