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or mailed to 7901 W 55th St Sioux Falls, SD 57106
or mailed to 7901 W 55th St Sioux Falls, SD 57106
join our reach in caring companion program
Do you have an hour to spend with someone, to show that you care?
Perhaps it's playing a game, or making a Caring Card.
Now is your opportunity to make a difference, and to support others that are struggling with their Mental Health.
We are proud to be joining forces with Longley Foundation & Live Inspired 365 to do more to support others that are hurting.
If you would like to join us, please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch! Thanks for joining us in supporting others!
Perhaps it's playing a game, or making a Caring Card.
Now is your opportunity to make a difference, and to support others that are struggling with their Mental Health.
We are proud to be joining forces with Longley Foundation & Live Inspired 365 to do more to support others that are hurting.
If you would like to join us, please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch! Thanks for joining us in supporting others!
RESOURCES
CALL OR TEXT 988
www.helplinecenter.org
|
Longleyfoundation.org
www.nami.org
|
If you or someone in your family is struggling with their mental health or suicide loss, here are discussion ideas, signs, and tips. Never hesitate to reach out and call 988 someone is always there to listen and help.
Discussion ideas:
Being open about your own mental health, let's others know you are willing to talk about mental health about their own. Sharing your mental health check ins allows them to feel safe to share theirs.
Use examples of why you are concerned and ask if they are ok privately. They may not be ready to talk about it, but they will know you are a person and can come to you when they are.
Don't be afraid to ask directly about mental health, suicide or self-harm; this doesn't put the thought in their mind but lets them know it's ok to talk about it if it is. It's ok to talk about how we are feeling and not keep it to ourselves and act on it. We would rather they talk about it than act on it.
Ensure you always have the 988 number in your phone to call or text; then you always have a safe outlet to reach out to for yourself or a friend.
It's not your job to "fix a friend," you wouldn't fix a friend's broken arm, so why would you expect them to fix their mental health? It's ok to seek professional help.
Make sure to not shame their feelings with dismissal by telling them they don't have a right to them. (i.e., "you have it so easy," "you will be just fine," "this will just pass"). Listen to listen and not to respond. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. You are not there to convince someone life is worth living or fix their life (that's a professional's job); you are there to be a friend, listen, and if needed, take them to a professional just as you would with any other health condition.
Signs of Mental Health Struggles:
There is no universal checklist, everyone is different, and there is never just one reason someone takes their life.
The most important thing to watch for is significant changes in your loved one.
The signs may be what everyone thinks: depression, withdrawing, sleeping, giving things away, being very emotional. It may also look like anger, risky adventures, drug or alcohol use, lack of caution, internet or google searches, or even overzealous behavior.
It can be subtle words - "go on without me, I'm just a burden anyway," "I just feel so trapped," "I have no reason to be here anymore" always take these seriously and start a conversation.
When you notice your loved one doing a complete personality change for them, this is when you know it's time to have a conversation. You should always assume you are the only person who will and always trust your gut.
Tips for Grieving through Suicide
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. The loss of a loved one to suicide is something no one should never have to know.
The internal questions that come from losing your loved one to suicide will be difficult. Coming to a place where you know you will never get the answers to your questions is the most challenging yet most healing thing you will do as a survivor of suicide loss.
Learning that self-care in grief is not selfish but selfless is a valuable lesson in any stage of your grief.
Reaching the stage where you can remember that your loved one lived and not just that they died and smile at the memories seems like a far-off place when you lose them, and your world is black and white. But it does happen; the world brightens to colors, and it's ok to enjoy the world again.
Your loved one didn't choose to leave this world any more than any other person with any other illness. Their mental health condition was just as terminal.
Resources:
Call : 988
Text: 741741
www.afsp.org
www.helplinecenter.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.avera.org/services/behavioral-mental-health/suicide-prevention-ask-the-question/
www.jedfoundation.org
www.nami.org
www.samhsa.gov
http://www.fostersvoice.org/
Discussion ideas:
Being open about your own mental health, let's others know you are willing to talk about mental health about their own. Sharing your mental health check ins allows them to feel safe to share theirs.
Use examples of why you are concerned and ask if they are ok privately. They may not be ready to talk about it, but they will know you are a person and can come to you when they are.
Don't be afraid to ask directly about mental health, suicide or self-harm; this doesn't put the thought in their mind but lets them know it's ok to talk about it if it is. It's ok to talk about how we are feeling and not keep it to ourselves and act on it. We would rather they talk about it than act on it.
Ensure you always have the 988 number in your phone to call or text; then you always have a safe outlet to reach out to for yourself or a friend.
It's not your job to "fix a friend," you wouldn't fix a friend's broken arm, so why would you expect them to fix their mental health? It's ok to seek professional help.
Make sure to not shame their feelings with dismissal by telling them they don't have a right to them. (i.e., "you have it so easy," "you will be just fine," "this will just pass"). Listen to listen and not to respond. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. You are not there to convince someone life is worth living or fix their life (that's a professional's job); you are there to be a friend, listen, and if needed, take them to a professional just as you would with any other health condition.
Signs of Mental Health Struggles:
There is no universal checklist, everyone is different, and there is never just one reason someone takes their life.
The most important thing to watch for is significant changes in your loved one.
The signs may be what everyone thinks: depression, withdrawing, sleeping, giving things away, being very emotional. It may also look like anger, risky adventures, drug or alcohol use, lack of caution, internet or google searches, or even overzealous behavior.
It can be subtle words - "go on without me, I'm just a burden anyway," "I just feel so trapped," "I have no reason to be here anymore" always take these seriously and start a conversation.
When you notice your loved one doing a complete personality change for them, this is when you know it's time to have a conversation. You should always assume you are the only person who will and always trust your gut.
Tips for Grieving through Suicide
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. The loss of a loved one to suicide is something no one should never have to know.
The internal questions that come from losing your loved one to suicide will be difficult. Coming to a place where you know you will never get the answers to your questions is the most challenging yet most healing thing you will do as a survivor of suicide loss.
Learning that self-care in grief is not selfish but selfless is a valuable lesson in any stage of your grief.
Reaching the stage where you can remember that your loved one lived and not just that they died and smile at the memories seems like a far-off place when you lose them, and your world is black and white. But it does happen; the world brightens to colors, and it's ok to enjoy the world again.
Your loved one didn't choose to leave this world any more than any other person with any other illness. Their mental health condition was just as terminal.
Resources:
Call : 988
Text: 741741
www.afsp.org
www.helplinecenter.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.avera.org/services/behavioral-mental-health/suicide-prevention-ask-the-question/
www.jedfoundation.org
www.nami.org
www.samhsa.gov
http://www.fostersvoice.org/