Suicide impacts thousands of families every year. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, recognized annually on September 10 as part of National Suicide Prevention Month. This year has been filled with extraordinary events – the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest and natural disasters among others – that have made maintaining mental and emotional health a real challenge. Properly educating yourself about the warning signs of suicide can make a lifesaving difference for you and those you love.

Identify – mental and emotional distress often impacts more than one area of a person’s life. Potential signs that someone may be struggling include sleep problems, lack of concentration or slowed thoughts, alcohol and/or substance abuse, irritability or tearfulness, as well as low motivation or morale.

Connect – friends, family and even coworkers can play a significant role in recovery simply by sharing that you care. If you see signs, reach out and express your concern. You can start the conversation by saying, “I’ve been worried about you. Can we talk about what you are experiencing? If not, who are you comfortable talking to?” Even asking, “what can I help you with?” can make a person feel less alone.

Understand – when helping an individual in need, expressing understanding is vital. Share that mental illnesses are real, their feelings are valid and, importantly, treatments are available to help. Offer support in accessing additional care through a hotline, mental health provider or medial center.

Please visit the Mental Health First Aid Toolkit for more detailed guidance about these three steps and how you can make a difference for someone who is struggling,

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or are showing suicidal tendencies, please call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. In an emergency, please dial 911 immediately.