Changing the Narrative: Making It Easier to Talk About Suicide

One of the most important things we can do during Suicide Prevention Month is make it easier to talk about what people are going through.

Suicide can be difficult to talk about. We may worry about saying the wrong thing. We may not know how to respond when someone tells us they are struggling. And when we are the person having a hard time, it can be just as difficult to find the words to tell someone else.

But silence can leave people feeling even more alone.

That is why the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” The message is a simple one: we can move away from silence, stigma and misunderstanding and toward greater openness, understanding and support. Sometimes that begins with something as ordinary as asking someone how they are really doing—and being willing to listen to the answer.

You don't have to have the perfect words

Helping someone who is struggling doesn't require being a mental health professional or knowing exactly what to say.

It can mean checking in when someone seems different. Staying with a conversation instead of quickly trying to fix it. Taking someone's concerns seriously. Reaching out again tomorrow. Or helping someone connect with additional support.

It also means making it more normal to ask for help ourselves.

Mental health challenges do not always look like a crisis from the outside. People may be dealing with depression, anxiety, loneliness, grief, relationship problems, substance use, stress or other circumstances that have become difficult to manage. Support can be valuable long before things reach a breaking point.

Know 988

September 8 is 988 Day, a national day focused on increasing awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Anyone in the United States can call or text 988 or use online chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And 988 isn't only for someone who is considering suicide. People can reach out because of emotional distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, relationship difficulties, or simply because they need someone to talk with.

Knowing that number matters. So does sharing it with others.

Support can start before a crisis

Suicide prevention is not only about what happens during an emergency. It is also about creating communities where people feel connected, where asking for help is accepted, and where support is available when life becomes difficult.

For people looking for ongoing mental health support, Family Service Rochester offers counseling services for children, adolescents and adults, including outpatient, family-based and school-based services. To learn more or request an appointment, call 507-287-2010.

Reaching out for support doesn't need to be a last resort. It can simply be the next step.

Perhaps that is one way each of us can help change the narrative this September: make a little more room for honest conversations, pay attention to the people around us, and remind one another that help is available.

If you need help now

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental health crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.