World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), celebrated annually on September 10th. This year's theme is "creating hope through action." This theme is a necessary call to action to address this urgent public health crises affecting our loved ones and perhaps even ourselves. The overall goal of this today is promote awareness about suicide. To work together on the promotion of prevention and to help increase empowerment, self-love, and normalize reaching out for support.
-Ask yourself what support looks like, feels like, and sounds like to you. And think of those same questions when you notice someone who may be struggling.
-Try to refrain from assuming how someone may be feeling or what they may be thinking
-Remember, that you are not alone. The times we are living in right now can feel so isolating, it makes sense we would feel lonely at times. But there are so many people out there who feel how you may be feeling.
“What I know about living is that the pain is never just ours. Every time I hurt I know the wound is an echo, so I keep listening for the moment the grief becomes a window, when I can see what I couldn't see before.”
― Andrea Gibson
In 2019, 97,339 people died by suicide in the Region of the Americas, and it is estimated that 20 times that number may have made suicide attempts (WHO).
Some Tips on Improving Your Mood in the Moment
-Write down a list of things that make you happy
-Listen to your favorite songs
-Journal
-Try and go out and do something enjoyable when/ if you feel like isolating
-Reach out to individuals you trust
-Engage in some type of physical activity/exercise
-Focus on your senses (i.e. light some candles, drink a warm beverage)
-Take a bath
-Play with or pet your furry friend if you have one!
-Check in with yourself: Have you eaten recently? Have you been drinking water? How is your sleep? These things may impact your mood and energy level.
*There is no right/wrong way to engage in self-care. Try and find some adaptive options that work for you. Sometimes they may work better than other times. That is okay. Sometimes you may have to try a few things on your list before you start noticing any changes in your mood. That is normal.
Resources
24 hour National Suicide Prevention
800-273-8255
https://www.namichicago.org/resources
