Week 1: Learn the warning signs: Hope begins with awareness.
Key messages and actions
We all have mental health and it’s as essential to a person’s life as physical health. Mental health (https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health) includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and shapes how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
It can be hard to tell if someone is thinking about suicide. However, there are some signs you can look for that may help you recognize if a person may be thinking about suicide. Warning signs can come up in conversations or through action and behavior changes. Most people who die by suicide have one or more warning signs. Think of warning signs as an invitation to help.
What they might talk about:
▪ Wanting to die
▪ Feeling hopeless or helpless
▪ Having no purpose or reason to live
▪ Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
▪ Being a burden to others
▪ Suicide
What they might do, especially if related to a painful event, loss, or change:
▪ Looking for a way to end their life
▪ Increasing the use of alcohol of drugs
▪ Changes in sleep like sleeping too little or too much
▪ Giving away possessions
▪ Withdrawing from activities
What behavior changes they may show:
▪ Extreme mood swings
▪ Uncontrolled anger or talking about seeking revenge
▪ Anxiety or agitation
▪ Reckless behavior
Learn more about mental health and wellbeing.
▪ Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wellness (store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma16-4958.pdf): The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) holistic wellness model with the eight dimensions of wellness.
▪ MDH Mental Health Promotion (health.state.mn.us/communities/mentalhealth/index.html): Public health core values and beliefs about and descriptions of mental health and wellbeing.
Learn how to talk about mental health and suicide and identify and support individuals who are struggling or having suicidal experiences.
▪ Suicide Prevention Training (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/communities/preventsuicidetrainings.html): Suicide prevention trainings for community groups and delivered by certified trainers.
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness MN All Currently Scheduled Classes (https://namimn.org/education-and-public-awareness/classes/https-namimn-org-education-and-public-awareness-classes-all-scheduled-classes/: NAMI Minnesota in person and online classes.
▪ Seize the Awkward (seizetheawkward.org/#starting-the-conversation): Resource with signs that a friend is struggling, conversation starters, tips for support, and where to get help.
▪ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members): Resources to support friend or family member with mental health problems.
Be conscious of language when talking about mental health and suicide.
▪ Safe Messaging around Mental Health and Suicide (health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/documents/safemessaging.pdf): Guide for safe messaging about suicide.
Learn about and promote resources available in Minnesota.
▪ 211 United Way (211unitedway.org): Easy-to-remember number Minnesotans can call to get free and confidential health and human services information.
▪ 988 Lifeline (988lifeline.org): Provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
▪ MN DHS Mobile Crisis Mental Health Services (mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/healthcare/childrens-mental-health/resources/crisis-contacts.jsp): Mental Health Mobile Crisis numbers in each county are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Social media posts to share:
▪ Starting the conversation around mental health doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be as simple as asking “what’s going on?” Seize the Awkward (seizetheawkward.org/#starting-the-conversation) has tips and opening lines to help make starting the conversation easier. #YouMatterMN #CreateHopeThroughAction
▪ We are less alone when we turn to each other. The Mental Health Coalition (https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/belonging/) has tips for fostering connection and how to find people to connect through technology. #YouMatterMN #CreateHopeThroughAction
▪ Sometimes it is hard to know when you need to connect with someone to support you with your mental health. If you want to learn more about when you may need to get support, check out the My Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/my-mental-health-do-i-need-help) infographic from the National Institute of Mental Health. #YouMatterMN #CreateHopeThroughAction
▪ Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider, or 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8 or use the 988 online chat 988 Online Chat (https://chat.988lifeline.org/) feature. #YouMatterMN #CreateHopeThroughAction