By Camille Myers, CCPRD SUPS Project Lead
In the last year, the world came to a halt, and the battles of everyday life were magnified at a rate that no one was expecting, including mental health struggles.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States which comes to about 48,000 people a year dying by suicide. Seeing these numbers can be overwhelming, and frankly depressing. When we talk about suicide, it can feel uncomfortable and the idea of suicide prevention can seem like an enormous task. This year, the SUPS team has had the honor of creating a suicide prevention campaign called Voices of Resilience. The campaign’s slogan is “Vulnerability is Revolutionary,” combatting the idea that talking about suicide increases the chance of a suicide attempt, with a very public platform.
Voices of Resilience was created with the goals of:
Educating the community about groups who are most at risk.
Encouraging coping strategies that increase mental resilience.
Continuing community and social connectedness (even through a pandemic).
Increasing the knowledge about where to find support.
These goals are based on suicide prevention strategies given by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the CDC.
This spring we are promoting a “Together We Heal” 30-Day Challenge to increase community participation in active ways that promote mental wellness and resilience.
Over the 30 days, there will be a list of self-care options, coping strategies, and opportunities to spread awareness partnered with a point system. Each time participants complete a task they gain those points, for example, if you get 8 hours of sleep every day for a week you can gain 175 points in one week for that 25 point task. One of the tasks breaks down 48,000 steps in 4 weeks, in remembrance of the 48,000 Americans that die by suicide each year. Each participant will fill out their own log to track the number of points they gain throughout the 30 days. The main point of the challenge is to encourage these suicide prevention strategies, while at the same time giving participants the autonomy to choose what works for them. At the end of the 30 days, the logs will be submitted and the points will be counted. The 3 participants with the most points will receive prizes at our May 22nd "Lights of Resilience" event.
We hope you’ll take the challenge. We also hope you will attend our "Lights of Resilience" event where we will take time to remember those we’ve lost by suicide and come together, reminding each other that connectedness can bring healing. Throughout this whole campaign we hope to destigmatize discussions on mental health, especially suicide. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone on this journey and there is hope. There is power in your journey and your vulnerability is revolutionary.
Resources:
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
text NAMI to 741-741-24/7
CARES: 800-345-9049
Mental health evaluation and services, including a crisis hotline, for youth as well as adults with Medicaid.
Suicide Prevention Strategies: wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_prevention#/media/File:SuicidePrevCDC.jpg
Signs of Suicidal Thinking:
Sources:
“A Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention.” Suicide Prevention Resource Center, www.sprc.org/effective-prevention/comprehensive-approach. Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.
“#BeThere.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Mar. 2021, www.cdc.gov/injury/features/be-there-prevent-suicide/index.html.
“Suicide Statistics.” American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 9 Mar. 2021, afsp.org/suicide-statistics.
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