September is National Suicide Prevention Month: How You Can Help
September is National #SuicidePrevention Month and in honor of this mental illness, I have registered to participate in a local walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in November called Out of the Darkness Walk.
Growing up, I've dealt with a lot of bullying and depression. Many of my friends also dealt with suicide, I know people who have tried to commit it, and I know of a few people who committed. I, myself, have contemplated suicide many times and have dealt with depression on and off. There isn't a real way to explain what you go through, what you're thinking at the time, but I remember the pain you feel. You zone out, nothing around you matters anymore, and you feel empty inside. I remember driving endlessly down PCH with my phone off, driving with no real direction and thinking, "what if I just slammed into a wall or drove off the side?"
It's been years since I last thought about death, however earlier this year I had a recent low a few months back that I openly talked about my Instagram stories, not expecting much of a response back, but did so to spread awareness and let my audience know that hey, I'm human too - we all are and we all deserve to be alive.
As a blogger, we're often conceptualize to having it all. That this life we lead is so easy and filled with nothing but endless trips and fun. I love my life, the path I have taken but nothing has been easy. Nothing has ever been easy and I want to make it a known fact that yes, I have had depression and yes, I have contemplated suicide, and yes I am just like you.
The DM's I received from people who have gone through the same thing, who were fighting a battle within themselves currently, and those who lost people in their lives was amazing. It truly proved that talking about suicide helps.
No one has had an easy journey to get to where they are today and while it's always hard to open up about such sensitive topics, it also is necessary to speak on it so we get rid of the idea that it's too taboo to talk about. I remember trying to bring this topic up to a friend years ago and all I got was, "OMG don't talk like that. That's stupid."
Suicide and depression are not something that is ever easily understood and has yet to be considered a real problem by much of society. Yet so many lives have been lost. Why do we continue to avoid suicide and depression? Why do we want to shove it under the rug and act like it doesn't exist?
As an "influencer", our duty is to spread awareness about issues that truly matter to us. While there is quite a lot going on right now in the world, we must also remember that individuals are also dealing with their own demons, their own inner fights, and they need to know that they have our support and love. Reaching out and simply talking about it can save someone's life. Letting people around you know that you are there for them, can save someone's life. Just showing support can save someone's life.
You truly never know what your actions can prevent so I've complied a few ways you can help, starting with registering to join me on the Out of the Darkness walk in November.
If you are in the LA area, please come out and join me. If you do register, make sure to let me know so I can give you a shout out on Instagram to thank you for the support! Same if you decide do donate to support me in the walk, I'll shout you out<3
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK SEPT 10-16th
Talk about it. Spread awareness not only during this week but as much as you can.
Donate to AFSP in honor of a loved one, start a campaign, join a team
Attend a Twitter chat hosted by AFSP on Sept 13th between 1-2PM EST
Become an advocate
Buy some merch to wear produly
More ways to help on AFSP's website
Crisis Resources (Provided by Nami.com)
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
Understand the Signs, Risks, and Factors.
NIMH has a dedicated page for this that you can read
Huff Post has a few written articles that are great
Great resources can be found on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's website
Thank you.
