“By all these lovely tokens September days are here, 

With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.”   

Helen Hunt Jackson 

SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH  

1-800-273-TALK (8255)                                  Text TALK to 741741 

Suicidepreventionlifeline.org                           Text with a trained counselor free 24/7 

-NAMI 

The month of September is dedicated to suicide awareness.  It’s a topic that no one really wants to talk about yet has a profound impact on so many lives.  People who are struggling themselves as well as those who have lost someone to suicide find themselves a part of this conversation whether they like it or not. 

Have you heard of QPR training?  I had not until after losing my son Joey to suicide September 10, 2017.  Yes, that is World Suicide Awareness Day.  Yes, I am still sitting with this as his mom working to understand and lean into the impact of him taking his life on this day and what it means for me and where I go from here. 

So, back to QPR training.  It stands for Question, Persuade and Refer.  It’s a powerful conversation on how to speak about suicide.  It teaches you questions to ask someone who is struggling.  You learn ways to talk to someone at risk and when to refer them to someone else who is more trained or qualified than you are to assist them. 

I would highly recommend everyone investigate where these classes are available.  Many employers including law enforcement are having them in the workplace. 

What about Talk Saves Lives presented by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention?  This is another impactful dialog to help understand suicide as a health issue.  You learn about the importance of the words we use when speaking of suicide and those who have died from it. 

Some of the language do’s and don’ts that are shared are; 

Avoid Saying                                                            Say 

X  “Committed suicide”                                           “Died by suicide” 

X  “ Failed” or “Successful” attempt                      “Ended their life” / “Killed themselves” 

                                                                                    “Suicide attempt” or “death by suicide” 

The more we learn the better we will be able to assist those in need when the circumstance arises. 

OK TO NOT BE OK – FOR A TIME 

“Feelings are much like waves, we can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf.” 

-Jonatan Martensson 

Oh, to feel things so deeply!  This can feel like a blessing or a curse.  I am a strong-minded passionate person and I feel deeply.  Many of us are wired this way.  Then why is it when uncomfortable feelings come, we want to get ‘out’ of them as quickly as possible?  You don’t usually see anyone trying not to laugh.  Well, I guess that depends on if you are somewhere, you must be quiet!  You get my idea that we don’t try to hide, fade, or suppress joy, happiness, or laughter. 

As humans we DO try to get away from sadness, anger, grief, pain, and despair as quickly as possible.  Why?  Well, because they aren’t very enjoyable that’s why.  The easy stuff feels much better, right? 

I have learned over the years and especially through my grief work that ALL feelings are valid.  All of them deserve their time to be felt, unpacked, and processed.  It is important to understand that when they arise even the super strong hard ones you just need to take a deep breath.  Breath first and then let them wash over you even if the waves feel like a category five hurricane let it come.  As with mother nature the intensity of storms doesn’t last forever.  Do a physical check in with yourself when strong emotions arise.  Are you hungry, tired, thirsty?  Do you need to ask those around you to please hold before you respond or interact during these moments?  If you lose your cool, ask for a do over when calmer heads prevail. 

If you are in a long painful experience after having a loss pace yourself.  Whether you lost a job, a marriage or someone important in your life processing these feelings and emotions takes time.  Healing does not happen in a straight line.  I just heard that in a country song and boy does it ring true. 

Let yourself wander.  Learn, grow, make mistakes, try new things.  The most important advice I can share is let yourself FEEL ALL of it!  The saying of you have to feel it to heal it rings so true for me.  Give it a try even when it hurts.  Take care of you!  Reach out, get help, talk to someone about what you are going through.  Let others carry your load or sit in the dark with you for a time.  Sometimes all we need to be comforted is someone by our side who allows us to be right where we are without trying to hide, fade or fix us!  If you need extra help get it!

I wish you everything good.  

All my best, 

Genna 

EVENTS 

Mental Health App’s  

Talkspace – Best Overall Therapy App  

Calm – Best Mindfulness App  

Chopra App – Great mindfulness and free meditations  

Pride Counseling – Best Queer Mental Health App  

Youper – Best Self-Guided Therapy App  

Headspace – Best Anxiety App