In observance of National Suicide Prevention Week (Sunday, September 4 through Saturday, September 10), we’re launching our #JustAsk campaign and we hope you’ll join us.
Anyone can have suicidal thoughts. Over 12.2 million adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide and about 46% of deaths by suicide occur for someone who had a known mental health condition. Other contributing factors could include relationships, substance abuse, financial, or other stress.
Suicide and suicide attempts affect the entire community. Surviving family and friends can experience shock, anger, guilt, depression or anxiety, or thoughts of suicide themselves.
You may see that someone you care about is struggling—a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor. We can help prevent suicide when we start the conversation, let others know we care, and direct them to resources and professional support. They are not alone and there’s community out there for them, starting with NAMI-NYC.
With evidence-based practices, like QPR – Question, Persuade, and Refer – we can offer hope through positive action. Talking about suicide can prevent suicide. Asking someone about suicidal intent actually lowers anxiety, opens communication, and lowers the risk of an act of self-destruction.
Join our public education event. Everyone plays a role in reducing the number of suicides to zero. Join us on Tuesday, September 20 at 6 PM, to learn how to identify people at risk and respond appropriately by helping them access needed services. Register now.
Learn about the signs. You may have concerns about your colleague, family members, friend, or neighbor. Here are some helpful resources and strategies for suicide prevention:
Check in with yourself. We all have mental health and at times, we may experience disruptions in how we think, feel, and behave. You may experience excessive worrying or fear, extreme mood changes, avoiding friends and social activities, or a change in sleeping or eating habits. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia all present different challenges and symptoms. If you have concerns, take the first step – call our Helpline for more information or talk to your primary care provider.
Learn how to best support yourself and your loved one. Get started with our Family & Friends class, a 90 minute webinar for people who have a loved one with a mental health condition. Find a class that’s right for you.
Call 988 for suicide prevention and mental health emergencies. People call 988 for many other reasons too, such as emotional distress, substance abuse crisis, and connecting to mental health providers and professionals near you. 988 is free and you can also reach 988 with chat or by text. Learn more.
Attend a support group. NAMI-NYC is proud to provide free programs and services to the community. We have 30 free, virtual support groups, including our new Living with Thoughts of Suicide group. Our groups are facilitated by people who are living with mental illness or have a loved one who does. No diagnosis or insurance is necessary and any information shared is kept confidential. View our calendar and find a support group that’s right for you.
Find a therapist. If you or someone you care about has been thinking about going to therapy, make the leap with Talkspace code “NAMI100.” As a first-time Talkspace user, you can get $100 off your first month, valid for 6 months from 9/1/22- 2/28/23.
Share our social media posts. We want to help spark conversation and care in the community. Everyone is affected by mental health – 1 in 5 are living with mental illness and the other 4 are family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Thoughts of suicide, particularly during this long pandemic, are even more common. You are not alone. Follow NAMI-NYC and share throughout Suicide Prevention Week:
Create and submit a video. #JustAsk is a transformative campaign. By checking in and asking someone how they’re doing, you can change a life. What happened when you asked someone you were concerned about how they felt? How did you feel when someone checked in on you? How did it change your life? Use your phone or computer or record a 30 second video answering those questions. Email to lvalencia@naminyc.org.
Pass New York Health Act: Contact your local elected official and let them know that New Yorkers deserve mental health care regardless of race, gender, employment, or citizenship status. Learn more.