Won’t You Light a Candle Tomorrow Night?
Monday, September 10th is Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day.
Won’t you light a candle at 8 p.m. to show you know and care about this cause? For the Truth is, light dissipates the darkness. There is no darkness when we light a candle.
Although there is no single cause of suicide, one of the risks for suicide is social isolation, and there’s scientific evidence for reducing suicide risk by making sure we connect with one another. We can all play a role through the power of connection by having real conversations about mental health with people in everyday moments – whether it’s with those closest to us with kind words or touch. Or a smile and a lighthearted word with the coffee barista, parking lot attendant, or the grocery store clerk.
It’s also about the connection we each have to the cause of preventing suicide. Whether you’re a teacher, a physician, a mother, a neighbor, a veteran, or a suicide loss survivor or attempt survivor, we don’t always know who is struggling, but we do know that one conversation could save a life.
Help is a Phone Call and a Touch Away
On Tuesday, August 14, President Donald Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act.
This new law will ultimately make it easier for Americans to access free and confidential emotional support if they are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Suicide Prevention Hot line: 1-800-273-8255
Remember, touch heals. Touch says,” I care about you. Your Life Matters.”
Then there are the Top 10 Findings on Suicide Prevention from chapterland.org
- Suicide is related to brain functions that affect decision-making and behavioral control, making it difficult for people to find positive solutions.
- Limiting a person’s access to methods of killing themselves dramatically decreases suicide rates in communities.
- Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying — and potentially treatable — mental health condition
- Depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use are strongly linked to suicidal thinking and behavior.
- Specific treatments used by mental health professionals — such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy-SP and Dialectical Behavior Therapy — have been proven to help people manage their suicidal ideation and behavior.
- No one takes their life for a single reason. Life stresses combined with known risk factors, such as childhood trauma, substance use — or even chronic physical pain — can contribute to someone taking their life.
- Asking someone directly if they’re thinking about suicide won’t “put the idea in their head” — most will be relieved someone starts a conversation.
- Certain medications used to treat depression or stabilize mood have been proven to help people reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior.
- If someone can get through the intense, and short, moment of active suicidal crisis, chances are they will not die by suicide.
10. Most people who survive a suicide attempt (85 to 95 percent) go on to engage in life.
So thank you for lighting your candle at 8 p.m. September 10th.