700,000 people die from suicide every year. That is 1 person every 40 seconds. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. However, we should raise awareness all year long.
Noticing the warning signs or limiting risk factors might be what is needed to prevent a suicide attempt. Here is a support guide for those affected by suicidal thoughts, their friends, and families.
How to Prevent Suicidal Behavior
Battling mental illness can be a lifelong struggle for many people. It can harbor moments of hopelessness where suicide seems like the only option. It's not. Here are some ways to lower the risk of suicide.
Realize Your Worth
Your life is important. There are unique aspects about you that are irreplaceable. They are what enrich the lives of people within your family, friends, and community. Realizing you are loved is the first step for suicide prevention.
Speak or Chat with a Counselor
Whenever times get rough, never hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach a counselor at the Crisis Text Line.
Visit A Mental Health Specialist
Suicide prevention lines are excellent for handling crises in the moment. Attending therapy regularly can help decrease risk factors for suicide.
Seeking the help of a professional can save your life. They can provide you with coping mechanisms to combat stress and limit suicidal thoughts.
In some cases, you might need medications or to change your current prescription. Our bodies are always changing. It's important you have a regular physician or psychiatrist who can monitor your needs.
Make Small Lifestyle Changes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our everyday routines can impact our mental health. Eating a poor diet, missing out on sleep, and forgoing exercise can cause physiological stress on the body.
This stress can promote inflammation that destroys healthy cells. With time, our bodies could run less efficiently, promoting communication problems throughout the system. Poor cognitive function can lead to a decline in quality of life and contribute to suicide.
Eat A Balanced Diet
There is a strong connection between substance abuse and mental health. Limit your intake of drugs and alcohol.
Eat balanced meals that are rich in fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. Swap out fatty meats and processed foods for wild-caught fish and whole grains.
Get Better Sleep
Lastly, gain control of your sleep cycles by regulating them with all-natural melatonin. Studies show an alarmingly strong connection between insomnia and suicide.
Mental health issues raise levels of cortisol in the body, which disrupts natural melatonin production. Tranquility Labs' Sleep-Fast Enhanced Mematlon Spray provides a quick burst of melatonin and soothing botanicals that will promote peace of mind and a good night's sleep.
What to Do If Someone You Love Is Suicidal?
Suicide affects friends and families immensely. It's a heavy responsibility to help a suicidal person, but it's well worth the effort. Not knowing how to handle the situation can be stressful. Here are some tips for creating a suicide prevention safety plan.
Know the Warning Signs
A suicide intervention begins with knowing the warning signs.
Pay attention if your loved one is:
- Giving Away Their Possessions
- Making Cryptic Social Media Posts
- Withdrawing from Fun Activities
- Binge Eating/Withholding Food
- Exhibiting Impulsive or Aggressive Behavior
- Talking About Loneliness or Hopelessness
- Joking About Suicide
If you need resources, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Validate Their Feelings
Just because you know your loved one's value on this earth doesn't mean they do. A suicidal person truly feels that death might be the solution to their issues.
Don't condone these feelings. Instead, say that you understand they are struggling. They need to feel a connection with someone. Empathy will make them feel less alone.
Also, don't project your fears onto them. They don't need the extra stress of knowing how their death will affect you. Support them in a calm voice. Reassure them they are safe, and that help is available.
Listen & Follow-Up
Preventing one instance doesn't mean the person no longer needs support. They need it more than ever.
When you discover a person is suicidal, ask how you can help them. Determine how you can make a difference in their life, and keep showing up.
Also, follow up with them. Ask how they are, but don't make it just about their mental health. They want to feel like you are interested in them, not concerned about them.
Essential Takeaways:
- If you or someone you love is suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
- Those feeling suicidal should talk to someone and make small lifestyle changes to better their health
- If you believe a loved one is suicidal, remain strong for them and make yourself readily available
BONUS RECIPE: Smoked Turkey Breast
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (64-oz.) bottle apple cider
- ¾ cup kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 (4-inch) fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 (4-inch) fresh rosemary sprigs
- 10 fresh sage leaves
- 1 garlic bulb, cut in half crosswise
- 4 cups ice cubes
- 1 (5 3/4- to 6-lb.) bone-in turkey breast
- 4 hickory wood chunks
- Bring cider and next 7 ingredients to a boil in a large stockpot or 8-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in ice. Cool completely (1 hour).
- Place turkey in brine; cover and chill 5 to 12 hours.
- Prepare smoker according to manufacturer's directions, bringing internal temperature to 225° to 250°; maintain temperature 15 to 20 minutes. Place wood chunks on coals.
- Remove turkey from brine, and pat dry with paper towels. Smoke turkey, maintaining temperature inside smoker between 225° and 250°, for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 165°.
- Remove turkey, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
