September is National Suicide Prevention Month!
September is National Suicide Prevention month. You can be part of this life saving conversation. Just by having the conversation, you help save lives by showing empathy and support to the individual you tell them that they are not alone in their silent suffering.
Here at NOVA and in the Office of Wellness and Mental Health, we believe in promoting suicide-safer communities. We want all of our students, faculty and staff to feel a sense of belonging and importance. To achieve this goal, we must engage in difficult conversations such as topics related to suicide, mental health and wellness to promote a culture of care and understanding so that appropriate resources and support can be provided to those in need. Life is hard. We can make it less hard for each other by being a beacon of support and hope for those in crisis.
How can you help? We are glad you asked! It is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Don’t be afraid of the conversation! The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline encourages you to:
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- Ask
- Be there
- Keep them safe
- Help them stay connected
- Follow up
- Learn more
2. You can learn easy ways to have these conversations by registering and attending one or both of the upcoming trainings that the Office of Wellness and Mental Health in support of the Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing will offer this fall 2023 semester to promote suicide-safer communities. Click this link to register for safeTALK and ASIST suicide prevention courses.
3. Share resources! The Office of Wellness and Mental Health website is a hub for resources and support. Timely Care is available for students and faculty providing 24/7 telemental health and wellness services. Our Mental Health Provider Database can connect you to licensed mental health and wellness providers in the community.
Submitted by:
Regina Sanders, Director of OWMH, RLSanders@nvcc.edu