September is suicide prevention month, and this year, it was particularly important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “elevated levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use, and suicidal ideation were reported by adults in the United States in June 2020.” There are new stressors that have inflicted our society in the past year, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the economic crisis it has caused, and there are stressors that have plagued our society for far too long, such as the racism faced by BIPOC every day. Suicide rates were already on the rise in the United States, and the unique struggles of 2020 have only worsened this issue. While September is ending, suicide prevention month is not. Below are several resources for suicide prevention.
Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 — Military Veterans, Press 1
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
U.S. Military Veterans Crisis Line: Send a text to 838255
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-4357
Resources for Marginalized Communities:
You deserve to be heard: mental health is just as important as physical health; in fact, the two affect each other. Many groups have historically been silenced, ignored and left out of conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. This resource, as well as the ones listed below, are designed to help different communities be heard and receive the treatment they deserve.
Black and African-American
LGBTQ+
The Trevor Project Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
The Trevor Project Text Line: text START to 678-678
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Native American
Spanish-Speakers
How to help someone in crisis: página web escrita en español
Prestamos Servicios En Español: 1-888-628-9454
Deaf Community
For TTY Users: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255
Educational Resources:
How to Create a Suicide Prevention Plan: if you are someone who is at risk for suicide, it can be helpful to create a safety plan ahead of time for times when you are in crisis
The National Center for Grieving Children and Families: here, you can find informational resources and support if you are grieving, as loss can be a risk factor for suicide
By Mia Shelton, Staff Writer