Durham County

September Heritage & Cultural Highlight: Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Month

About

Mental Health Awareness Month has been recognized since 1949 and addresses the impact that mental health concerns and conditions have on millions of Americans. Key goals of the month include eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness. September is also Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope. 

Equitable Well-Being Recommended Activities

Durham County Government is committed to providing a plethora of resources and support opportunities to employees and families to ensure if and when mental health crisis emerge, we have the support we need to address them. This month we encourage every employee to investigate the resources available to you through Human Resources benefits programs, so you are prepared when you or a family member need to use them.

Connecting

When you or someone you love are experiencing a mental health crisis, or having thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation, you are never alone. Check out just a few national and local organizations with tons of resources to support you and your loved ones. Do not wait until you are in crisis to investigate; take 10 minutes right now to see what resources are available.

• Mental Health Awareness Month | NAMI
• El Futuro | Building a brighter futuro for familias (elfuturo-nc.org)
• SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• The Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People
• Raleigh, NC Mental Health Clinic | Ellie Mental Health
• Haven Health Management Mental Health support
• Mental Health Facilities in Durham, NC (mentalhealthclinics.org)

Learning

Contrary to popular belief, discussing mental health crises, suicidal ideation, or thoughts of self-harm does not encourage more of these feelings and experiences, but actually reduces stigma and invites people everywhere to seek support when they need it. Take time this month to educate yourself and your loved ones on the realities of mental health concerns, and suicidal ideation and self-harm. Here are a few resources to help you start:

Community Impact: Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) | NAMI

• Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, high risk populations:
  • U.S. Adults: 4.8%
  • Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander: 7.4%
  • Mixed/Multiracial: 8.2%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 8.5%
  • Young adults aged 18-25: 13%
  • High school students: 22%
  • LGBTQ youth: 41%

• The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaskan Natives, followed by non-Hispanic whites
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth.
• Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life compared to the general population.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

Check out these resources to begin or continue on your journey to reducing stigma and increasing conversations and awareness about mental health concerns and suicide.

• The Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People
• LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Resources for Adult Allies (thetrevorproject.org)
• Mental Health Literacy Book Club with Seed & Root - DCoL Events & Room Reservations - Durham County Library (libcal.com)
• 10 Best Books to Read During Mental Health Awareness Month - B&N Reads (barnesandnoble.com)
• 34 Books to Read During Mental Health Awareness Month - Penguin Teen
• Help the teens in your life be prepared to support themselves and others when they are in crisis by participating in Mental Health First Aid Training with El Futuro:

Doing

By part of the solution and perhaps even save a life by preparing yourself this month in these simple steps:

1. This month take specific time to read through and commit to memory key warning signs of a mental health crises or risk in suicide by visiting: We Can All Prevent Suicide - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org).
2. Learn more about how to hold a healthy and appropriate conversation about mental health in this article: How Respectful Dialogue Can Reduce Mental Health Stigma | AHA News
3. Write down, print out, or save the information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in an easy to access place in case you need it.
   • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
   • If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
   • You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

Conversation Starters

Here are some questions to start conversations with others about Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Month. For leaders, try building in time in supervisions or team meetings to prompt staff conversations about Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Month. Options could include:

• Did you learn anything new about individuals who have experienced mental health challenges and/or connections with suicide this month?
• Have you made any new personal or professional connections this month that can help you support individuals that experience mental health challenges or concerns with suicide?
• Did you learn anything new about specific mental health challenges or people connected to suicide this month?
• How did you participate in Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Month?
• How can things you learned or did for Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Month impact how you do your job?