September is Suicide Prevention Month.  This month is the perfect opportunity to start a dialog with your friends, family, coworkers, etc... about mental health.  Sounds overwhelming, right?  You might think to yourself, "how do I start a conversation about mental health?" or "why is mental health important?"  These are great questions!  Talking about mental health and suicide does not have to be hard, but it requires feeling comfortable about discussing it.  For me, that usually requires some understanding.

Let's start with the basics:  What is mental health, and why is it important?  According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices." (http://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health/index.html).   When our mental health is good, we feel confident and able to handle the regular stresses of life.  We have the capacity to cope when problems are really difficult.   By contrast, compromised mental health can be debilitating and can lead to feelings of self-loathing or despair.  There are many mental health conditions, but depression is the most common and can become very serious if left untreated.  If you or a loved one has been sad for more than 14 days, you could be suffering with depression.  Please remember that mental illnesses are treatable or can be managed just like physical health illnesses.  Don't let stigma or embarrassment prevent you from seeking this important help.  

So now you might be wondering "how can I help?"  Helping a distressed friend or family member starts with a discussion.  Whether it is a phone call, a lunch date, or just a walk, providing an outlet to talk can make a difference.  The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers the following tips when talking with a friend or loved one who may be struggling (www.nami.org):

* Let them know that they can talk with you about what they are going through.
* Make sure that you are actively and openly listening to the things he or she says.
* Provide positive reinforcement, don't argue with negative statements.  
* Be an active listener by reflecting feelings and summarizing thoughts.  
* Reassure your friend or loved one that you are concerned for their well-being and encourage them to lean on you for support.

In this issue of our newsletter, we feature stories and information on suicide prevention and ways the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is addressing suicide and depression in our community.  Thank you so much for all you do to help us provide help, hope and healing so that no one has to face a crisis alone.

Clara