Photo by Yaseen Jones
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For more than a decade, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) Annapolis Out of the Darkness Walk has brought thousands of friends, neighbors, family members and colleagues together to walk and raise awareness to support suicide prevention and mental health. This year, we will gather again on September 16 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to then walk the streets of Annapolis in support of AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
Losing someone to suicide or struggling with a mental illness can feel like no one understands what you are going through. Unlike other illnesses, it is difficult to look at someone and know their connection. The Out of the Darkness Walk is a journey of remembrance and an event that unites a community – a time to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental illness have affected our lives and our loved ones. When walking, we wear honor beads. Each color shows our personal connection to the cause, and helps us identify others who understand our experience. Being able to connect with someone that had a similar journey reduces the stigma and allows participants to walk away from the event with the feeling of hope.
Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to highlight the connection between mental health and suicide prevention. While there is no single cause for suicide, there are risk factors and warning signs which may increase the likelihood of a suicide attempt. Learning them can save lives. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase the risk for suicide. Yet it is important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life.
The first step to be proactive about your and your family’s mental health is to access mental health care in the same way you would when experiencing a physical health issue. Together with a mental health professional, one can develop problem-solving and coping skills and access mental health treatment. Having a support system of friends and family is crucial in times of struggle. In addition, cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem can support your mental health journey. Finally, limiting access to lethal means puts time between suicidal thoughts and the action, allowing those thoughts to subside.
If you are concerned about someone in your life, learn more about the ways you can get help and discover tools you can use today to have a #RealConvo about mental health. If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. This service is available 24/7, free and anonymous.
