National Suicide Prevention Month (September, 2023)
National Suicide Prevention Month is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting mental health support. This month-long campaign in September aims to educate the public about the importance of recognizing the signs of suicide, offering support, and fostering a culture of empathy and understanding.
Did you know that:
- Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US with an average of 130 suicides per day
- In 2021, 48,183 people in the US died by suicide
- In 2021, there was an estimated 1.70 million suicide attempts
- On average, there are 132 suicides per day
During National Suicide Prevention Month, various organizations and advocates come together to collaborate on suicide prevention initiatives. These efforts focus on providing education about risk factors, warning signs, and available resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. The goal is to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to identify when someone may be in crisis and to encourage them to seek help. It provides an opportunity to engage in open discussions, share personal stories, and break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
While this dedicated month shines a spotlight on the issue, it is crucial to recognize that suicide prevention is a year-round endeavor. It requires a collective commitment to providing mental health resources, fostering supportive environments, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggles 💛.
Call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline received 46K calls in the first year, and this past April, there were 368,936 calls.
Mangrove Therapy Group is Raising Money for Suicide Prevention
Mangrove co-founder, Brian Gong, will be running in the Disney Marathon weekend on January 3-7 as part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) team. AFSP was established in 1987 and is an amazing organization whose mission is dedicated to “save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide”. They fund scientific research, educate the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocate for effective public policies, and support survivors of suicide loss.
Brian will actually be running the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge which will require him to do the half marathon (13.1 miles) that Saturday, and the full marathon (26.2 miles) the next day on Sunday. Brian has done some long runs in the past but never this much 😬.
‘Why is he doing it’ do you ask? Well, because he believes that the more brutal and painful the challenge is, the more money people are willing to donate! The sacrifice will be well worth it. Please consider donating to this amazing organization for such an important cause. Donations can be made here: https://supporting.afsp.org/team/gong
Local “Out of the Darkness” Walk
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting a local Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Palm Beach County on September 30th at John Prince Park. These walks represent a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
Event Details:
- Date: 09/30/2023
- Location: John Prince Park (Center Drive Pavilion, 4759 South Congress Ave.), Lake Worth, FL
- Check-in Time: 8:00 am
- Walk Start Time: 9:00 am
Contact Information
- Walk Chair: Adriane Cantwell, 561-506-5400, [email protected]
- Walk Co-Chair: Emily Kutsmeda, [email protected]
Hanley Foundation’s Zero Suicide Initiative
The Hanley Foundation has a variety of programs to reduce the number of suicides in Florida including training college students, college professors, and other members of the community to recognize the signs of someone contemplating suicide. Thus far, the Hanley Foundation has trained almost 60 resident advisors at Palm Beach Atlantic University and 20 faculty members at The Academy for Nursing, as college campuses are often where students meet someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.
During September, they will place billboards across Palm Beach County and will wrap 10 Palm Tran bus stop shelters with information on how to get help during a mental health crisis. They are also producing a video with people who have attempted suicide and survived who tell their stories of hope.
Check out their webpage for more information.
Conclusion
As mental health professionals, we deal with the topic of suicide every day. Whether it’s a client who has lost hope, or someone dealing with the suicide of a loved one, the ripple effect can be devastating. Therefore, it’s extremely important to raise awareness and help prevent unnecessary suffering and death. And we will do our part in the mission as well, working hard to help clients find the hope they need. There is always help available if you need it
Get the Help you Need with Effective Therapy in Delray Beach, FL
Our team of caring therapists can offer support from our Delray Beach, FL-based practice and across the state. We would be honored to support you on the journey to better understand yourself. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
- Contact Mangrove Therapy Group
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Start receiving support for yourself and your loved ones
Other Services Offered with Mangrove Therapy Group
Finding support for your mental health can take many forms. This is why Mangrove Therapy is happy to offer a variety of therapy services therapy for trauma, PTSD/C-PTSD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, body image issues, anger management, anxiety, low self-esteem, CBT, and much more. Please feel free to learn more about how we can support you. We also offer support with addictions such as process addictions, grief, and loss, “Failure to Launch” syndrome, and DBT. Feel free to learn more by visiting our blog or FAQ page to learn more today!