September is the month for National Suicide Prevention and National Recovery
Therapeutic Health Services provides therapeutic approaches to assist individuals with substance use disorder, mental health related issues, and provides our patients with resources to assist in their recovery efforts. As an agency, THS promotes awareness, prevention, and advocacy when it comes to Suicide, Mental Health related issues, and Substance use disorders. Our clinical staff are trained to assess and work with patients who present with suicidal ideation.
For the month of September, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. This is accomplished through awareness, connections to resources, and providing safety planning conversations with those patients struggling in their recovery.
The National Suicide Lifeline’s message is #BeThe1To
- Ask – Based on research, individuals with suicidal ideation feel relief when someone asks, in a caring way, whether they are having thoughts of self-harm. These findings, also, indicate that by acknowledging and discussing suicide may help reduce, rather than increase, suicidal ideation.
- Keep them safe – Studies indicate that when lethal meals are made less available, or less deadly, suicide rates by those methods may decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
- Be there – Listen without judgment helps reduce a person’s feelings of depression, feeling overwhelmed, and less suicidal. They tend to be more hopeful after speaking with someone.
- Help them stay connected – Studies show that by helping someone at risk creates a network of resources and individuals for support and safety may help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
- Follow up – Studies indicate that brief, low cost, intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
For more information and to participate in the National Suicide Prevention Month, visit Promote National Suicide Prevention Month’s Website.
If you are feeling suicidal, contact THS to speak with a qualified professional staff, or contact the local crisis lines that operate 24/7:
- Everett – Volunteers of America Care Crisis Line 425-258-4357 (help) or 1-800-584-3578
- Seattle – Crisis Clinic of King County 206-461-3222 (for teens, 206-461-4922)
- Or, 1-800-SUICIDE
Additional contact numbers for Washington Suicide hotlines.
September is also National Recovery Month that is sponsored by SAMHSA. This year’s theme is Join the Voices for Recovery: Invest in Health, Home, Purpose, and Community. The focus is on exploring how integrated care, a strong community, sense of purpose, and leadership contributes to effective treatments that sustain the recovery of persons with mental and substance use disorders. Read more about Recovery Month and how you are able to participate.
