September is National Suicide Awareness Month
As summer comes to an end, September welcomes cooler days and a return to some sense of order in our new reality. September is also National Suicide Awareness Month and September 10th is National Suicide Awareness Day.
For myself and for the Brian Dagle Foundation, it is a month to highlight the mission of the foundation through an increase in community education, awareness, and trainings.
It also allows me to share my story, with the hope that no one else has to experience a loss to suicide but at the same time, if someone has suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one to suicide, you are not alone. There are thousands of survivors of suicide loss. I did say thousands because in the United States, from the most current data, 48,344 people died by suicide in 2018. This makes suicide the 10th leading cause of death. Suicide takes more lives in the U.S. than homicide, war and natural disasters combined.
Here in Connecticut, we lose over 400 people a year to suicide, one person every 21 hours. There are several support groups in the state for those who have lost a loved one to suicide including a bi-monthly groups offered by the Brian Dagle Foundation.
There are ways in which you can make a difference. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Connecticut Chapter offers free educational training and programming.
There are Community Walks throughout our state. This year we are stronger than ever with 6 Out of the Darkness Walk Experiences statewide. For more info on the walks and information please go to https://afsp.org/chapter/connecticut#events
Please join me this month, take the step to educate yourself on this difficult but potentially life saving matter. To learn more, or to schedule a training for yourself, school or business please contact me at ann@brianshealinghearts.org.
In hope-Ann