The 988 Lifeline officially launched in July, replacing the old and longer National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number. While this is certainly a step in the right direction for suicide prevention, it’s not necessarily the best solution for someone experiencing a mental health crisis. 

The new 988 number does connect you to a crisis counselor, which does initially sound like a great intention, right? However, unbeknownst to the caller, the counselor may call the police, track your location or involuntarily have you committed. Given the hostile past (and present) of police interactions, this isn’t necessarily the safest option for someone who is seeking help. 

For September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we’re exploring alternative options that are better equipped and managed to truly serve as a resource to those with suicidal ideation or crippling mental health.

Before we dive in, here are a few warning signs of suicide ideation: 

• Frequently talking about being a burden, holding in guilt or shame, and/or wanting to not be alive anymore

• Having consistent feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, or overall being “stuck” or “trapped”

• Seeming to be sad, anxious, agitated, or irritated on the daily basis

• Changed habits such as sleeping more or less, self-isolating, withdrawing from interactions, drug or alcohol abuse 

It’s never easy having to accept that someone you love (or yourself) may be suicidal. It is, however, absolutely necessary to acknowledge any concerning or alarming signs of suicide. 

Check in with yourself and your loved ones to the best of your ability. Small, kind gestures can leave a grand impression!

Accessible Healthcare 

For the sake of your mental well-being, it’s likely you’ve tried everything under the sun to stay calm, cool, and collected. While healthy habits and living practices (such as meditation or exercise) are certainly beneficial, they’re simply not enough at times.

Mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, often involve a literal chemical imbalance your brain is experiencing. Mental health issues are medical issues; consulting with a medical professional is one of the best options to solving and remedying your mental health struggles.

Healthcare itself can be a heavy task to achieve, but fortunately, there are plenty of companies and platforms that bring ease to that task! Here are a few resources that can help you find a healthcare provider to discuss your mental health with: 

• Health in her Hue: A culturally-conscious community that connects Black women and women of color to healthcare providers, while also providing resonating content and resources for greater overall wellbeing.  

• Alkeme Health: A digital platform changing the narrative of healthcare for Black women and men by empowering, healing, and inspiring users to better manage their mental health.

• HUED: A platform connecting Black and POC patients with healthcare providers that are culturally competent, while also providing resources for better health literacy among organizations and patients. 

Community 

Having suicide ideation can bring you to a space where you feel physically and mentally alone. This can be an overwhelming and incredibly hopeless feeling; however, it’s not a fact. 

Please find comfort in knowing that there are communities and collectives that are readily available to guide you through heavy emotions and turbulent times. Through conversations, gatherings (online and in-person), and a plethora of resources, these mental health-based groups can make a grand impact on your mental well-being!

These are a few organizations that can help you feel a sense of community while navigating through tough feelings: 

• Sad Girls Club: A non-profit that’s destigmatizing mental wellness among Black women and WOC by hosting comforting in-person workshops and virtual webinars.

• HealHaus: A community that serves as a home for humans looking to heal, offering practices that benefit overall mental health and wellness. 

• The Nap Ministry: A space that believes rest is restorative, replenishing, and undoubtedly necessary for resilience. 

Take Back Control

There are a plethora of reasons for someone to feel suicidal. Largely, it’s the lack of needs. Lack of funds, lack of resources, lack of opportunities; all of this can lead to major and devastating slacking. As heartbreaking and soul-crushing as these factors can be, we have to be diligent in not letting these components determine our livelihood or desire to live.

Many of us may feel suicidal because of our lack of control; while this is definitely frustrating, we want to encourage you to shift your focus to what you can control. It’s far easier said than done, but you give yourself your power and strength back when you make decisions and choices completely up to yourself. 

Big or small, whatever you can control, control it with ease. Drink as much water as you can. Indulge in media or books that bring you joy. Create a routine for yourself to stick to. These may be small moves, but they’re powerful and meaningful in helping sustain the urge to live. 

Suicide is never an easy topic to talk about. But with more conversations, more awareness, and a more overall sense of community, we can create spaces that will ultimately lead to more suicide prevention.