Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is a public health issue that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families and communities. Its causes are complex. During September, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office is reminding employees to take care of their mental health and recognize signs of distress and hopelessness in others.

A key goal of suicide prevention is to reduce risk factors and promote protective strategies that support resilience. That's why this year's Suicide Prevention Month theme is Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect, highlighting the significant role that connections to family, friends, community members and resources play in preventing suicide.

The Defense Suicide and Prevention Office provides the following information on how to be an advocate for your peers and how to locate resources to assist you and others:

How can you be a year-round suicide prevention advocate for your workplace, peers or family?

Join the Fight. Supporting those struggling with thoughts of suicide can take time, energy and effort. Self-care and knowing your limits are key to staying resilient while being there for others.

• Be willing to listen and talk to others.
• Learn about suicide prevention resources and tools for prevention, including the availability of chaplain support and services.
• Adopt lethal means safety as a normalized practice in your day-to-day life.
• Spend time with friends and family members - whether in-person or virtually, depending on what works best.
• Seek support from peers, family or health professionals when you need it.

Connect with Others. There are many ways to strengthen connections with members of your team and community to show your support.

• Check in with friends and family. Let them know you care.
• Use de-stigmatizing language and safe ways to talk about suicide.
• Plan activities that you can enjoy together.
• Listen when they want to talk.
• Accept what he or she has experienced without judgment.
• Resist the temptation to problem-solve.
• Reassure them.
• Express care and concern.
• Encourage them to get help and stay in touch with friends and family.

Speak Up. If you're concerned about someone, ask if they are thinking about suicide, have a plan, and if they have the means, such as a firearm, medication or other method of self-harm.

Listen and Offer Support. Be calm and express concern. Take what they say seriously and ask how you can help.

• Act Quickly. If you have a concern that someone you know is at imminent risk for suicide, do not leave them alone. Seek help immediately. Contact a crisis line, chaplain, health provider, emergency room or 911. If you are on the phone with an individual who you believe is in immediate danger, try to keep him or her on the line while you or someone else calls 911. Ask if there is someone nearby who could offer support and keep talking to the individual until help arrives.

Remember, there is no one "fix," and no single person or organization can prevent suicide alone.

• DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The DLA Employee Assistance Program offers free, confidential counseling and educational information to help individuals in crisis and those managing life and work issues. EAP is available at MagellanAscend.com. Once on the site, users can choose "Find My Company" or "Create a Login Account" to access services such as scheduling an appointment with a counselor. Employees can also reach the EAP at 1-866-580-9046

• ALCOHOL, DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY: The ADAMH Board of Franklin County is a government agency that partners with more than 30 non-profit organizations providing mental health, substance use treatment and prevention services to Franklin County residents. The board offers suicide prevention tips, hotlines, helplines and other resources to help you navigate a crisis situation.

• FRANKLIN COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION OFFICE: The Franklin County Suicide Prevention Office works to decrease stigma, increase awareness of available support and promote suicide prevention education and training opportunities. FCSPO offers a free online screening tool to help users identify if they should seek additional support.

• CENTER FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESEARCH AT NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: Nationwide Children's Hospital offers several resources for children and families including a factsheet on suicide warning signs and how to respond to a child or family member in crisis. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, the research center recommends contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or the Crisis Text Line by texting "START" to 741-741. Trained crisis counselors are standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/Suicide-Prevention for more information.

The Defense Department's Defense Suicide Prevention Office offers the following additional resources and materials:

• inTRANSITION:inTransition is a free, confidential program providing specialized coaching and assistance for active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to a new mental health provider or wish to initiate mental health care for the first time. inTransition services are available to all military members regardless of length of service or discharge status. Reach a counselor stateside by calling 800-424-7877, outside the continental U.S. at 800-748-81111 or via Live Chat or email. All calls are confidential and free.

• MILITARY ONESOURCE: For non-crisis concerns, such as relationship, family, or financial challenges, Military OneSource provides 24/7 service to all service members, including National Guard and Reserve members, and eligible family members. Arrange a face-to-face, phone, online or video counseling session by calling 800-342-9647 or via Live Chat to livechat.militaryonesourceconnect.org/chat

• GIVE AN HOUR: Give An Hour provides care and support for those who otherwise might not receive it by harnessing the skill, expertise and generosity of volunteer mental health professionals across the country.

• DOD VETERANS/MILITARY CRISIS LINE:VCL/MCL is a free, 24/7 confidential resource that provides Department of Veterans Affairs support for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, veterans and their families, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. Qualified responders at the VCL/MCL are specially trained and experienced in helping service members and veterans of all ages and circumstances. If you, or someone you know is in a crisis, there is help - contact the VCL/MCL by calling 800-273-8255 (press option 1) or via chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.

• NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. Your call is routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network of 150+ crisis centers. For assistance, call 800-273-TALK (8255); TTY: 800-799-4889.