SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Each year, suicide continues to be an increasing leading cause of death in the United States.   Recent numbers have shown a surge in death by suicide overall. According to these new reports, these numbers have not been this proportionally high since as far back as the Great Depression of the 1930's.   Per the CDC, this amounts to approximately 1 death be suicide every 11 minutes.   It is no surprise that the U.S Surgeon General called mental health "the defining crisis of our time."

The past several years have been very hard for so many, and it is understandable that this time continues to be reflected in increased struggles with stress and mental health.  For this reason, we feel it is so important to share resources, information, supports, guidance, and education to support people who may be struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide as well as their friends and families.  Mental health and suicide are sometimes seen as uncomfortable topics to discuss; leading some to express fear that if they say something, it may trigger another person potentially resulting in their death.  There is no current evidence to support this fear and instead data reflects the opposite.  The best way to lay a foundation for prevention of anything is open communication, connection, and dialogues to decrease isolation, fear, and stigmatization.   Additionally, we seek to help people identify and create a support system that can create safety and stability.  We try to aid in this by providing as many resources to connect people to such supports as possible.

Below is a list of national and local organizations that contain these resources and supports. Links provide education, tips on how best to support someone who could be at risk, as well as information on what to do in a crisis, as well as lists of long-term mental health resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988, the hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, also available at 988lifeline.org
• Samaritans: A local support service for those struggling with suicidal ideation, their 24 hour support services can be reached here
• This Massachusetts state guide details the process of committing yourself or another person to a city or state hospital for emergency psychiatric treatment, as well as detailing the admission and discharge rights an individual has while in treatment.  
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts: Be sure to check out their page on suicide prevention month.
• Talk Away the Dark: A branching support network to bring visibility to SI, offers resources and support.
• Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention: A state based education and advocacy resource, be sure to explore their resources page for more.
• Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Coalitions and Providers: The state maintains a list of coalitions and providers that support the community around mental health and suicide prevention.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: A direct peer support network for those struggling with depression and bipolar disorder.
• The Black Mental Health Alliance
• InnoPsych
• Psychology Today Boston Therapists List

Each year, we also choose to include resources for friends and family coping with the loss of someone they love to a deadly suicide attempt.   In managing this pain, many take comfort and strength in reaching out to others, professional and peer alike, for support and understanding.  Listed below are support groups, networks, and other resources to explore:

• Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors:  This group provides information sheets, a blog and community forum through which suicide loss survivors can share their experiences and support each other.
• Friends for Survival:  This organization exists for both suicide loss survivors and the professionals who work with them.   They feature educational reading, resources, and the Suicide Help Line (1-800-646-7322) for coping with a loved one's loss
• Parents of Suicide and Friends & Family of Suicides (POS-FFOS (http://www.pos-ffos.com/)):: This website provides a public message board called Suicide Grief Support Forum, as well an online chat room for survivors of suicide loss.
• After a Suicide: Grief Resource Directory (http://www.personalgriefcoach.net/): An extensive directory of additional resources and information.
• American Association of Suicidoloogy: (https://suicidology.org/resources/suicide-loss-survivors/)   More resources and references for suicide loss survivors.
• Save.org find a Support Group (https://www.save.org/programs/suicide-loss-support/find-a-support-group/): Additional support group search page available for those seeking support.
  
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NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

We find it essential every year to also highlight national recovery month, to draw attention to the scourge of addiction locally and nationally, but also to draw attention to positive trends and changes in tackling this painful and complicated condition, because there is room for hope.  For the first time in years, as reported here (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htm#:~:text=Provisional%20data%20from%20CDC's%20National,drug%20overdose%20deaths%20since%202018), overdoses overall decreased nationally by three percent, a small but significant number and the first reported decrease since 2018. Drug use among adolescents has continued to remain at lower than pre-pandemic levels (https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/12/reported-drug-use-among-adolescents-continued-to-hold-below-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2023) as well.

However positive these changes are, they are gradual, and alcohol and drug addiction still devastate families and communities.   Over two thirds of Americans reported in a poll (https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-08-15/two-thirds-of-americans-say-their-lives-have-been-affected-by-addiction-poll) that they are affected by the struggle and destruction of alcohol and drug addiction, whether personally or through witnessing the suffering of a friend or family member.  As we do every year, we wanted to support those seeking recovery and their families by highlighting prominent national and local peer and professional groups and services, as well as other community and educational resources:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Finder App (https://www.aa.org/meeting-guide-app):    Alcoholics Anonymous, the oldest and largest peer support network for people seeking sobriety and recovery, utilizes this app to help find meetings in your area.
• New England Narcotics Anonymous Directory (https://nerna.org/):  Narcotics anonymous offers its own large meeting directory for the new England area.
• Al Anon (https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/): An alcoholics anonymous affiliated support network specifically tailored for family and friends of those in recovery or those struggling to stay in recovery.
• Smart Recovery (https://www.smartrecovery.org/): An alternative peer support network for substance use recovery, focused on building coping skills.   Offers numerous easily accessible online support groups.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration: Information and Hotline (https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline)
• Project ASSERT (https://www.bmc.org/project-assert): Boston area detox and rehab referral service.
• The City of Boston's Recovery Services Team (https://www.boston.gov/departments/recovery-services): a referral and advocacy, they are responsible for the PAATHS program (https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/boston-public-health-commission/recovery-services/find-your-path-recovery), available to assist with finding detox and other substance use recovery support services.
• In the Rooms (https://www.intherooms.com/home/): A global support and referral service
• Massachusetts process and requirements (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/section-35-the-process) for hospitalizing an family member for mandatory substance use evaluation and treatment.
• NAADAC on National Recovery Month (https://www.naadac.org/national-recovery-month)
• National Recovery Month Calendar (https://rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/events/month/2020-09/?hide_subsequent_recurrences=1)

As always, please reach out to us at the City of Boston Employee Assistance Program (https://www.boston.gov/departments/human-resources/employee-assistance-program) for immediate support and assistance, and be sure to check our resource list (https://www.boston.gov/departments/human-resources/employee-assistance-program-resource-list). Have a safe and warm September.

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