September Awareness: Suicide Prevention Month
Photo from Pexels by Brett Sayles.
Emersen Cwiklinski
Organization. In 2008, Suicide Prevention Month was declared by the United States and is now a recognized month to raise awareness regarding the horrors of suicide. Recognition of suicide by organizations has improved efforts to bring awareness to people struggling with suicidal ideation or those who have died by suicide, support friends and relatives who have lost a loved one to suicide, and to prevent further instances of suicide. Declaring a definitive month for suicide recognition helps to erase the stigma that surrounds suicide and mental health struggles. Rather than individuals suffering in silence, there is recognition to those struggles, and a community that backs them in support.
Media and public recognition of the struggles with mental health and suicide help to erase the stigma by using empowering and impactful figures and forms of media to build a bridge between the gap that tends to make individuals feel isolated. Books, movies, and public figures are impactful forms to look at, and help to further educate about the stigma surrounding suicide.
A movie that covers mental health and suicide: All The Bright Places.
All The Bright Places–which is also a novel written by Jennifer Niven–covers the story of two teenagers, Violet and Finch, who find themselves in a highly vulnerable situation where they both feel overwhelmed by the effects of depression and bipolar disorder. The teenagers save each other from themselves and end up developing a close bond while discovering “bright places” of their home state. Their journey is not only physical, but also mental and emotional. Violet begins to see all the bright parts of life, while Finch continues to struggle with mental health. All The Bright Places highlights grief, loss, and endurance in a way to show many paths of mental health, and highlight two distinct outcomes of the characters’ lives.
A book that covers mental health and suicide: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is narrated by Charlie, a young boy beginning high school as a “wallflower,” being withdrawn and observant. Charlie keeps a diary where he has to no longer be a wallflower, but a main character in his own life where he can express his struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and associated mental health struggles. Charlie expresses vulnerable moments in his diary, which allow readers to gain a better understanding that there is more going on beneath the surface of a person’s life. As Charlie works through his personal challenges on the path to finding himself, he begins to come out of his shell and develops close friendships that aid in his overcoming of mental health obstacles.
Public figure/celebrity that speaks out on mental health: Kevin Hines
Kevin Hines’ story is one that moves any who take the time to listen. Hines survived an experience that many haven’t. After struggling with suicide ideation and bipolar disorder, 19 year old Hines took a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge and jumped off the side into the water below. Hines survived the fall with broken ribs due to a sea lion that kept him afloat until the Coast Guard could recover him. Some may say the sea lion was a sign to keep fighting and keep living, which can be applied to all lives. After the attempt, Hines has made it his life mission to raise awareness surrounding suicide, and advocate for mental health care with the campaign #BeHereTomorrow. Hines later went on to write a film called Suicide: The Ripple Effect and write a memoir titled Cracked, Not Broken. Kevin Hines continues to share his experience with suicide and bipolar disorder and has made profound statements in advocacy, one of which being, “We’re all going to pass away someday. Please give yourself time for things to change, because hope does exist.”
Suicide is a tragedy that impacts millions of lives, and in order to change the drastic rate of deaths by suicide, it is pivotal to advocate for mental health care, support people struggling with suicide ideation and the living who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to erase the stigma that surrounds suicide. I challenge you to check in on a relative, ask to meet with a friend, and make it known that you are a support system for any who may need it.
Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing distress or are worried about a family member or friend who may need support.
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
You will be connected with a trained counselor. This is a free service available 24/7. Your conversation is confidential unless there is imminent danger for you or others.
