EAP Positivity Note of the Week ~ Suicide Prevention Month Edition

[Caption: The image above shows a purple awareness ribbon, the front strand of the ribbon is cyan and shaped like a feather with silhouettes of small cyan birds flying from the top edge of the feather. The quote says "This life. This night. Your story. Your pain. Your hope. It matters. All of it matters" the quote is by Jamie Tworkowski. In the background of the image there are light purple clouds.]

Suicide is a complex and challenging issue that affects individuals, families, and our communities, and addressing it as a community requires collective awareness, open conversation, and understanding of the resources available, so that those who are healing or in crisis can be met with the life-saving compassion and support they deserve. 

Your Wellness
Suicide is a heavy topic, before you dive into the resources, take a moment to check in with yourself- Are you in a space to review this right now?
Your mental health matters, and wellness practices can help improve your own mental health.
Here's a calendar of Wellness Webinars, offered daily and open to anyone and everyone, so please share! 
(Calendar- Clickable Links) (Calendar- Printable with QR Links)

• Breath / Body / Mind Practices (Spanish sessions included)
• Tending to Self
• Monday Meditations

Talking about Suicide is important, and it's equally important that when we do, we are actively working against the stigma through our language. (CAMH- Words Matter)

• Avoid the reinforcement of stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination against people with mental illness and suicidal ideation.

• Avoid	Try to say	Because
  Commit / Committed Suicide	Died by suicide / lost their life to suicide	'Commit' implies a sin or crime was done, reinforcing the stigma. Neutrally recognizing death strips away the shame and blame
  Successful or Unsuccessful suicide / Completed or failed suicide	Died by suicide or Survived a suicide attempt	"successful" suicide frames a tragic outcome as an achievement or something positive / "failed" suicide frames survival as a negative
  Epidemic / Skyrocketing	Rising / Increasing	Using quantitative, less emotionally charged terms like “rising” instead of words like “epidemic” can help prevent panic and avoid fostering a sense of inevitability or hopelessness around suicide.
  ____ is Suicidal	____ is facing suicide / thinking of suicide / has experienced suicidal thoughts	Rather than defining someone by their thoughts, it's important to acknowledge that the thoughts are something that is being experienced
  ___ is schizophrenic / bipolar / mentally ill	____ is living with Your

•  you know is having thoughts of suicide, the 988 Lifeline is a 24/7/365, free and confidential number that will connect you to a licensed mental health professional. 
  • If you would like a 988 Lifeline sticker/magnet/contact card, please fill out this form and we will intercampus mail it to you!
• If someone tells you they're thinking about suicide: This guide gives you 10 steps to have an open, honest, and supportive conversation with someone who is having suicidal ideation. 
• Warning Signs and Symptoms that might lead you to check in with someone ~ Know that someone may show all of these signs and not be contemplating suicide, but check in with them anyways!
  • Just Checking In: A quick how-to guide, to get the conversation started.
    • In other languages: Español, বাঙালি, Kreyòl ayisyen, 한국어, Русская версия, 中文, 繁體字, אידיש

• OMH Guide for Parents: One to Five Year Olds, Five to Ten Year Olds, Ten to Twelve Year Olds, 12 to 15 Year Olds, 15 to 18 Year Olds
• Are you a caregiver to someone living with a mental illness? Circle of Care offers a guidebook about mental health caregiving, navigating financial challenges, dealing with inpatient hospitalizations and treatment planning, and dealing with the criminal justice system.