Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
What do you do to maintain mental wellness? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in America is living with mental illness. There are many different forms of mental illness and the impact of these can range from mild to severe. All mental illnesses should be taken seriously.
Mental illness cannot always be determined by appearance or outward expressions. Sometimes people can appear to “have it all together” and be struggling. Help is available. Help can come in the form of self-care, a listening ear, trusted online resources, your primary care provider, a mental health professional, or by texting or calling a helpline. Crawford County CredibleMind is an online tool that is complete with helpful resources. You can find information, assessments, and other resources. These include topics like stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, mindfulness, workplace wellness, and suicide prevention.
Did you know there are some common warning signs that can indicate someone you care about might need help? Some of these may include:
- Loss of interest in activities they enjoy
- Low energy
- Difficulty sleeping or eating
- Excessive exercise, dieting, or binge eating
- Harming themselves
- Using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs in unhealthy ways
- Engaging in risky behavior
- Having thoughts of suicide
- Thinking their mind is being controlled or is out of control
- Hearing or seeing things that other people cannot hear or see
(Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs, n.d.)
With the beginning of a new school year, it is a great time to talk with your children about mental health and bullying. Bullying can happen at any age and is not ok. Most people can relate to being bullied in some fashion. Bullying can look different now than it did years ago when this occurred primarily in person. Today, youth can have difficulty getting away from bullying as it can occur on social media where there can be a large audience. You can help by having open conversations with your kids about how words matter and how they are using their phones, videos, and social media. Think of your words like a tube of toothpaste-once they come out you can’t put them back in.
The Surgeon General’s Report in 2023 refers to loneliness and isolation as an epidemic. Did you know mental illness can impact your physical health? It can increase your risk of serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, infectious diseases, and memory loss. This report highlights the power of social connections. It is not just the number of friends and family you have, but also the quality of those relationships and the frequency of interactions. Doing life together matters.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It is the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults (World Health Organization, 2019). You can help someone who is considering suicide.
- Ask if they are thinking about suicide-talking about it will not give them the idea.
- Be there for them-listen and support them.
- Keep them safe by reducing access to lethal items.
- Help them connect with a mental health professional.
- Follow up with them.
- Call 911 if they are in immediate danger.
- Give them resources such as the suicide hotline, 988.
Wisconsin Department of Human Services. (2024, June12). dhs.wisconsin.gov/prevent-suicide/index.htm
The Driftless Region Suicide Awareness 5K Color Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 7:30-9:30 am at St. Feriole Island, Prairie Du Chien, WI. This is a great way to support suicide prevention, honor the life of someone who died by suicide, bring awareness, support survivors of suicide, and learn more about what you can do to prevent suicide. Funds raised by this event will help support further suicide prevention events and activities. For more information or to pre-register go to: crossingrivers.org/colorrun/. Online pre-registration for the run/walk closes September 13, but you can register the day of the race, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
There are small steps you can take to improve your mental health. Look for joy in each day. Maybe you notice the sunrise/sunset, a smell, a feeling, a memory, or a song. Having something to look forward to soon and in the future can also be helpful. It doesn’t have to be a vacation or holiday, it can be something small and meaningful to you. Routine can be great, but shaking things up a bit may be helpful from time to time. You could take a different route, treat yourself, visit a friend or family member, or do something you enjoy. Self-care is not selfish. Taking care of yourself allows you to be your best and be present for those you care about.