Hope & Suicide Awareness Month

In September, we acknowledge the role that hope plays in grief and life as we recognize Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.

Hope is what keeps us going and reminds us there is good to come even if we can’t see or feel it now.

But feeling hopeless (without hope) is a very real experience and it can often feel like there’s no choice but to harm yourself. That is why we do what we do: to remind everyone that there is always hope.

It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s okay to say you need help.

If you or a loved one are in a mental health crisis, please do not hesitate to call or text 988 for help.


Take a moment to reflect:

  • What is something that gives you hope?
  • Who do you know who inspires hope in others?
  • What does hope mean to you? What does it look like? What does it feel like? What color is hope?

➡️ Have a thought, resource, or quote you want to share with us? Reply to this email or tag us on social media @BTDFDN


Books and Resources

The Mourners Book of Hope by Dr. Alan Wolfelt
Making Hope Happen by Dr. Shane Lopez
Documentary: A Voice at the Table
Video: The Science and Power of Hope
Article: Hope is the antidote
Article: The Science of Hope
Article: The Importance of Hope
Blog: Finding Hope in Grief
Blog: Finding Hope When Grief Feels Hopeless
Blog: Hope and Grief
Journal Prompts on Hope


Inspiration

“Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be you.”
TobyMac

“They grow together in the same field – grief and hope. So compactly and in such unison that it’s difficult to tell which is which and just when you may be tempted to think grief is choking everything, hope blooms.”
Lori Hetteen

“Place your hand over your heart, can you feel it? That is called purpose. You’re alive for a reason so don’t ever give up.”
Joyce Meyer

“The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die.”
Juliette Lewis