2022 KANSAS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH
It’s OKAY to not be Okay, so find your SAFE people today and say HELLO!
Say hello! It’s a great way to start a conversation.
It’s often easy to share with others the fun things and to hide those parts of us that are vulnerable, difficult, and even scary. It can also be difficult to ask for help. The Kansas Prevention Collaborative encourages you to find your safe people and just say “hello”. Saying hello can open the opportunity to share what you are going through and give you access to the support and resources you may need.
It’s OKAY to not be okay, no one is perfect.
Everyone experiences mental health challenges at some points in their lives and it doesn’t feel okay. “Sometimes a mood is more than just being lonely, angry, or frustrated. Mental health challenges are different than situational sadness or fatigue. They’re more severe and longer lasting, and they can have a large impact on daily life. Some common mental health challenges are anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, and experiencing trauma. They can affect your usual way of thinking, feeling, or acting, and interfere with daily life” (Mental Health First Aid). If what you are feeling is lingering, find your safe people and share them.
Find your SAFE people today.
Safe people can be those that you share all the fun stuff with, and with who you feel connected. Safe people can also be those people that you may be afraid to talk to because you don’t know them or because the position they have (such as a teacher, coach, counselor, social worker, doctor, or therapist) seems terrifying. Find them and say hello.
Need help finding SAFE people?
- Call or text 988
- Support Groups in KS
- The Trevor Project
- I Choose to Talk
Want to be the SAFE person?
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
We can all help prevent suicides in Kansas.
- Listen when someone says “hello” and shares that they are not okay.
- Learn where to get help in your community.
- Start sharing mental health resources with your family, friends, and neighbors.
- Advocate for improvements to the mental health systems in your community including more services and easier access.
988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it’s a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. – kdads.ks.gov