At the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week, we asked you to take action. In the days that followed, you asked the hard questions, added resources to our FIND HELP page, reached out to those who lost a friend or loved one to suicide, and signed up to volunteer for Crisis Text Line.
You also showed us time and time and time again why you kept living. And by doing so, you inspired countless others to do the same.
National Suicide Prevention Week ends tonight at midnight, but this fight is far from over. If we’re going to continue to move people to keep living, we’re going to have to keep working.
Below you’ll find some ways to continue this week’s conversation. Our campaign may be over, but we want you to know that we will keep pushing back against the lie that says we can’t talk about suicide. We will keep pointing people to avenues of treatment and recovery. We will keep showing people that hope and help are real.
We will keep working.
And we will keep living.
We hope you’ll join us.
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Get involved with TWLOHA.
There are a variety of ways you can support suicide prevention efforts through TWLOHA. Check out our Get Involved page to learn more. You can also head to our Events page to see if we’ll be in your area and our Intern Program page to see how you can join us in Florida.
Volunteer for Crisis Text Line.
If you are looking to get involved in a powerful, tangible way, consider volunteering for Crisis Text Line, a 24/7 free texting hotline for youth. You can go here to become a volunteer.
Learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s programs.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention aims to bring people together to understand and prevent suicide and to help heal the pain it causes. Their website lists many different ways to cope with suicide, including a city-specific support group finder, and a way to contact their Survivor Outreach Program. Not only that, but this November they’ll host events all over the world for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, which recognizes those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Find free resources at SAMHSA.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has several completely free resources about mental health available. You can order their Suicide Prevention Lifeline wallet cards and other brochures in bulk, at no cost to you. These are great resources to have at high schools, college campuses, conferences, and any public place where people gather.
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Beyond the list above, there are many more ways to get involved in mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Reach out in your local community. Encourage others to be open to talking about these important issues. Be accepting, supportive, and compassionate. One of the most common things we hear from people who message us is how afraid they are to tell someone about their depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, or self-injury. They live in fear that they will be rejected, ruin their relationships, and never see change. Be a safe place for someone to come to share their story—and be proud to share your own.
Sarah Marino
I think it’s so amiable what TWLOHA does for those suffering from depression and other mental illness. As someone with depression, having someone there to remind you you are worth every breath you take can be a make or break point. Sadly, some people never feel that love, and that’s what everyone needs to do, they need to reach out and help others, I know I try to, even on my worst days I try to be there for people. I blog about depression awareness at mentalhealthmentalwealthsite.wordpress.com, my email is [email protected], I think the stigma of depression is crippling, and if people were educated on the subject they would know how to be a friend, it’s not hard. Thanks for everything you do TWLOHA, I have always been a fan.
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The Strong (Faking) One
Hi this is my first time on this site and first I just want to say how I’m glad that you guys are doing stuff to try to help people like me. The reason I decided to comment (which took a really long time and a lot of hesitation) that my friends and I are having s rough time, it’s our first year of high school and we’re already falling apart, and adding to to that I can explain in more detail if you respond. Sadly I’m like a therapist with my friends so I know pretty much everything that’s made us like this. Please reply if you have time, thanks.
Marisha
You should also consider that not everyone has the means or access to help. It can also stem from issues of poverty and those who are marginalized . Not everyone who doesn’t get help is afraid. It’s a more complexed issue then fear. As a whole society doesn’t understand mental health or the surrounding stigmas. Medical funding is awarded to cancer heart disease and diabeties far more then it is for mental health research. Reaching out to people requires more then assuming they’re afraid, you need to also consider their culture, their religion, where they sit in the financial spectrum,etc. Having both experienced servere mania and depression, I have met many people through hospital systems coping with mental illness. It never is just about fear. Part of listening and giving hope is trying to understand who people are, without assumptions.
Alexis
I struggle from depression and panic attacks I was diagnosed recently and I’ve been on medication for it. I’m 26 and I’ve been “dealing” with it since I was 13 but it’s still very hard. I just need some type of help I’ve never attempted suicide but the thoughts have ALWAYS been there and honestly I’m scared I just need someone to talk to.
Mark Huska
I have a daughter who’s 15, her name is Mykaila. ( planned pregnancy, BUT … ya ) I had 10 yrs. of complete sobriety .. 1 night Hic-cup w/ cocaine + then another 3.5 yrs of sobriety. Since 2010, I had dabbled w/ all of it. ( drugs / alcohol / sex / gambling / junk food ) I’m glad that GOD doesn’t listen to all PRAYERS because I had prayed numerous times not to wake up. The more I surrender to GOD’S WILL the better my LIFE is … all the crap from the past is an asset today. Took me 50 yrs. to WANT to SURRENDER ALL of MY WILL over to HIM. I’m not perfect BUT, LIFE is so much better, I’m happier .. LIFE is easier .. PEOPLE around me are HAPPIER .. I suffer from a “SEASONAL DEPRESSION” .. Well, this September it hasn’t come back + I GIVE GOD .. THE 3-1 ALL THE CREDIT … Take care People, + REMEMBER GOD LOVES US ALL + He has forgiven US ALL .. If I don’t FORGIVE myself !! I heard that I’m thinking I KNOW more than GOD … That helped a lot with forgiving myself … I HEARD that this past year as I was taking THE ALPHA SERIES for the 2nd time. PEACE OUT … your friend MARK HUSKA.
Sharon
I have shared your story at my local church, that of Renee and TWLOHA, and although some I think were shocked, it was a message that needed to be heard, that many of us are broken, and need each other, awareness and understanding. Your organisation has reached Roma, a small town in western Queensland, Australia. We don’t have resources like you do, but I am in hopes that by next year, I will spread the message again and have the resources that you offer, and be able to give to our youth, who hear your message, and the parents who need to hear it. Thank you. You have touched my family, and now my church.
Nathan Keeshig
Thank you.