Continuing to Choose Hope

For 10 years, I’ve been writing, advocating, teaching, and speaking about National Suicide Prevention Month. Along with thousands of other advocates throughout the country, we work overtime each September to ensure that our voices are heard.

This year, it saddens me beyond words to share that, in Connecticut, we’ve seen a rise in suicide deaths of our young people. Suicide is complex. We know that there is no one reason that causes someone to end their life, but, it’s a perfect storm of life events and intense emotional pain that causes someone to come to the point of no return.

But I have hope because of 988.

988 is the mental health crisis number for anyone struggling with their mental health or for anyone who is concerned about themselves or someone else. Seven days a week, 24/7, there are trained professionals ready to take your call or respond to your text. Do not hesitate; if you are concerned, that’s enough reason to ask for help.

I’m hopeful because there is education and training available for you to better understand the warning signs and risk factors associated with someone who may be suicidal. Most of us are trained to save a life threatened by heart problems with CPR, please consider getting trained to save a life threatened by suicide with QPR or one of the many other suicide prevention training programs available.

You can learn how to have this difficult but lifesaving training in only one hour. To learn more about suicide prevention trainings please go to: https://brianshealinghearts.org/resources/suicide-prevention/

Suicide is a public health crisis with the numbers hovering around 50,000 per year. We have to have hope that together we can make a difference.

We ask for you to help us with HOPE, the optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: “expect with confidence” and “to cherish a desire with anticipation”. (Wikipedia)

Here’s how you can spread hope:

• Help us continue the conversation.
• Check in on a friend.
• Listen, really listen to their answer and be comfortable with the uncomfortable. You don’t need to be a professional to listen. Simply say, “I hear you,” “I’m here to be with you,” “Let me help you find help.”
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Get trained in QPR suicide prevention.
• Support organizations like the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CSAB).
• Take care of your mental health and encourage others to do the same.
• Find a therapist you trust and feel safe with.

Finally, consider joining the Brian’s Healing Hearts team for the AFSP’s Southeastern Connecticut Walk in Niantic on Saturday 9/21 beginning at 9am. To register and join the Brian’s Healing Hearts’ team, visit AFSP.org/Niantic.

With Hope-
Ann and the Brian Dagle Foundation Family