There’s no doubt that the challenges we’ve faced during the last few years have taken a toll on mental health. For some, this toll has led them to attempt to take their own life. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is now the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020, nearly 46,000 people died by suicide and more than 1.2 million attempted to end their lives.
You may wish to commemorate National Suicide Prevention Month in your community and raise awareness of this issue in your community. Social media is an easy way to do so:
- Remembering A Life Resources
- Share the May 2022 episode of the Remembering A Life podcast. The episode features Doug Middleton, a free agent safety in the National Football League, played college football at Appalachian State and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Following the death of his best friend AJ by suicide, Doug embarked on a mission to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of one's mental health, concentrating on the African-American community and student athletes. To that end, he founded Dream the Impossible. The work he does is inspiring and is making a difference in the lives of thousands of people. You can find the podcast episode here: https://www.rememberingalife.com/blogs/podcast/douglas-middleton-mental-health-champion-on-and-off-the-field
- Share Remembering A Life blog posts:
- Launched in July 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States by phone or text. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. To learn more, visit their website, https://988lifeline.org/. This site also has ready to use social media posts you can share to promote its availability to people in crisis.
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, https://afsp.org/, is a wonderful informational resource for people who want to: learn more about this issue; help someone in crisis; know where to turn if you are having thoughts of suicide; or become an advocate.
- The Suicide Prevention Resource Center, in collaboration of Education Development Center and Samaritans, Inc., and with input from funeral directors, psychologists, and suicide loss survivors, created a free resource, “Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss: A Guide for Funeral Directors (2nd ed.). The booklet will help you better understand common experiences of suicide loss survivors and services that funeral directors should consider providing to them; information on how to better communicate with suicide loss survivors; and more. You can download the booklet here: https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/supporting-survivors-suicide-loss-guide-funeral-directors-2nd-ed.
We know how challenging your work can be. If you or someone in your immediate family is struggling with their mental health, NFDA has partnered with SupportLinc to offer a member assistance program. This confidential support service is available 24/7, 365 days per year at no charge to NFDA members and their immediate family members (e.g., spouse, children).
Services offered by SupportLinc include in-the-moment support and short-term counseling by phone, web, text or mobile app with a licensed clinician that can provide support for work-related pressures, depression, stress, anxiety, grief, relationship problems, substance abuse or other emotional health concerns. You and your immediate family can also receive up to three in-person or video counseling sessions each year.
Help is available by phone, web, text and an app – whatever is easiest and most convenient. Learn more at www.nfda.org/SupportLinc.