Signs Someone May Need Support

Suicide and self-harm are preventable mental health crises. We can be proactive by recognizing expressions of someone in distress.

A few types of warning signs are:

• Someone expressing feelings of being trapped, like there is no way out.

• Someone expressing hopelessness or stating no reason for living.

• Someone withdrawing from family, their friends, or usual activities they like.

• Someone talking or threatening to hurt or kill themselves.

These are only a couple of signatures, and there are different ways people exhibit pain.

How To Be Supportive

When someone experiences a mental health challenge, here is how you can be supportive:

LISTEN:

Let someone really express their experiences. Being someone they can talk to is essential when giving support.

BE NON-JUDGMENTAL:

Don’t criticize or minimize the way they feel. You may not be able to understand exactly what they’re going through, and that’s ok.

ASK WHAT, NOT WHY:

When you ask questions, avoid asking ‘why’ questions, and instead ask ‘what’ questions. Asking why can have a judgmental tone even if you don’t mean it that way.

GIVE INFORMATION - DON’T DIAGNOSE:

Don’t assume they have an illness or condition. Provide direction to resources that can identify and treat mental health issues.

ACT AS A BRIDGE:

You can connect someone to mental health resources. Resources include family, school guidance, mental health professionals, and organizations like HFTD.

TEAMMATE IN SUPPORT:

Being supportive doesn’t mean your duty is to ‘fix’ someone. Mental health is complicated and solutions aren’t overnight. As a teammate, the best support you can give is by being a trusting ear, helping to navigate resources, and acting as a source of encouragement.

Encouragement to recognize and remember that it’s ok not to be okay. Mental Health starts with a conversation and encouraging friends and yourself to take a screening. Help is closer than you think.

Resources

Christopher LeMark

Christoper LeMark, the founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop, & Mental Health - an amazing organization that has pivoted during the time of COVID to fighting hunger on the Southside of Chicago through multiple “Poverty is Violent” food drives throughout the summer.

https://www.auxchicago.com/anthologies-of-hope/christopher-lemark

Transgenerational trauma refers to trauma that passes through generations and in this week's episode, we discuss a wide variety of experiences from a panel of guests ranging from individuals whose ancestors were slaves to experiences of indigenous people, down to the nuanced experiences of immigration.

https://www.auxchicago.com/anthologies-of-hope/conversations-cafe-transgenerational-trauma-the-burden-of-inherited-pain

This week's Conversations Cafe episode explores a myriad of treatment options, including plant medicines (cannabis, mushrooms, etc.), as well as alternatives like ketamine treatments for depression and harm-reduction for individuals living with substance-use disorders. Our panel includes community members and professionals discussing these often unknown but available options for healing and management.

https://www.auxchicago.com/anthologies-of-hope/conversations-cafe-spark-the-conversation

Websites

U.S.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

https://afsp.org/

American Psychological Association

locator.apa.org/

Counseling services locator

Crisis Text Line

crisistextline.org

Text “ITSOK” to 741741 (available 24/7)

Mental Health America

mentalhealthamerica.net

Resources promoting mental health nationwide

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

suicidepreventionlifeline.org

1-800-273-8255 (TALK) - Press 1 for Veterans Line

The Trevor Project LGBT Lifeline

thetrevorproject.org

866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)

Available 24/7

Warmlines

warmline.org

Peer and Family mental health support by phone, weekdays M-F 5pm

CANADA

Crisis Services Canada

crisisservicescanada.ca

CALL: 1.833.456.4566 or TEXT: 45645

AUSTRIA

elefonseelsorge - Wien

www.telefonseelsorge