Suicide Prevention: How to Recognize the Signs, Start a Conversation, and Reach Out for Help
Mental health can be difficult to talk about, especially when you are worried that someone you care about may be struggling.
We all experience difficult days, sadness, stress, and moments when we do not feel like ourselves. But sometimes changes in mood or behavior can signal that someone needs additional support. Knowing what to look for, how to start a conversation, and where to turn for help can make an important difference.
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Roshonda L. Cureton, LMFT, Director of Behavioral Health at Omni Family Health, joined Healthy Families to discuss potential signs that someone may be struggling, the importance of staying connected with the people we care about, and why reaching out for help should never be delayed when someone’s safety may be at risk.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.
How Can You Tell When Someone May Be Struggling?
One of the challenges of recognizing a mental health concern is that there is not always one obvious sign.
Sometimes changes happen gradually. Other times they can appear suddenly. Cureton explains that one thing to pay attention to is a noticeable change in someone’s typical behavior.
A person who is normally social and engaged may begin withdrawing from friends, family, or activities. Someone who is usually more reserved may suddenly become noticeably more social or engaged. The important thing is recognizing when someone’s behavior seems different from what is typical for that individual.
But behavioral changes do not tell the whole story.
Some people struggle without showing obvious outward signs. They may avoid talking about what they are experiencing because they do not want others to worry or feel like they are creating a burden.
That is one reason regular communication and interaction with the people we care about matters.
How Do You Start a Conversation About Mental Health?
Knowing that something seems different is one thing. Knowing what to say is another.
You do not need to have the perfect words.
A conversation can begin by acknowledging that everyone experiences difficult periods and then expressing what you have noticed.
You might let the person know that you have noticed they do not seem like themselves lately and remind them that you are there to listen and support them. The goal is not to diagnose the person or immediately solve the problem. It is to create an opportunity for them to talk.
Sharing some of your own experiences may also help when appropriate. Being open about a time when you struggled or relied on others can make the conversation feel more human and relatable.
Listening, showing concern, and reminding someone that support is available can be meaningful first steps.
Why Is Mental Health Just as Important as Physical Health?
We regularly think about taking care of our hearts, managing our physical health, and responding when something does not feel right with our bodies. Mental health deserves the same attention.
Mental and physical health can also affect one another.
As Cureton explains, when we are not taking care of our mental health, that struggle can spill over into other areas of our lives. Stress can affect how we respond to everyday situations, how clearly we make decisions, and how well we manage the challenges around us.
Prioritizing mental wellness does not mean waiting until there is a crisis. Caring for our mental health is part of caring for our overall health.
At Omni Family Health, behavioral health is part of a broader approach to keeping patients Connected by Care, recognizing that caring for the whole person includes both physical and mental well-being.
What If Every Day Starts Feeling Like a Bad Day?
Everyone experiences difficult days. But if it begins to feel like every day is a bad day, reaching out to someone is important.
During the Healthy Families conversation, Cureton emphasizes a simple message: reach out.
Reach out to a family member. Reach out to someone in your support system. Reach out for professional help or crisis support when needed.
You do not have to manage everything alone, and the people around you cannot help with something they do not know you are experiencing.
For people experiencing a mental health or suicide-related crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.
The interview also identifies 211 as another resource for connecting with support.
If there is an immediate concern for someone’s safety or a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Reaching Out Is a Form of Prevention
One of the strongest messages from the Healthy Families conversation is also one of the simplest: reach out.
Reach out when you notice something different in someone you love.
Reach out when you realize you have been struggling yourself.
Reach out when you are concerned about someone’s safety.
You do not have to know exactly what someone is experiencing before showing that you care. Staying connected and letting people know they have someone to turn to can create an important pathway toward additional support.
Sometimes the most important first step is simply making sure someone knows they are not facing a difficult moment alone.
Behavioral Health Care at Omni Family Health
Mental health is an important part of overall health.
Omni Family Health offers behavioral health services to help patients address their mental and emotional health as part of their overall wellness.
Seeking behavioral health support does not have to begin during a crisis. Taking the time to prioritize mental health can help people better understand what they are experiencing and find the support they need.
Being Connected by Care means recognizing that mental, emotional, and physical health are all part of the same picture.
To begin connecting with care, find an Omni Family Health provider, find a health center near you, or visit Omni Family Health to learn more about available services.
You can also call or text Omni Family Health at 866-707-OMNI (6664).
Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
A noticeable change in a person’s usual behavior can be one indication that something may be going on. Someone who is normally social may become more withdrawn or isolated, while someone who is usually reserved may begin behaving noticeably differently. However, some people may struggle without showing obvious outward signs.
Yes. Some people may struggle in silence because they do not want to feel like a burden to others. That is why communicating and regularly checking in with the people we care about can be important.
Start from a place of concern and support. Acknowledge that everyone goes through difficult periods, let the person know what changes you have noticed, and remind them that you are there for them. Listening and relating to someone without judging them can help make it easier to talk.
Reach out immediately when safety is a concern. Crisis resources discussed in the Healthy Families conversation include 988, 211, and 911. If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Mental health can influence stress, decision-making, and how we respond to everyday situations. Prioritizing mental well-being is an important part of caring for overall health.
Call or text 866-707-OMNI (6664) or visit Omni Family Health to learn more about behavioral health services and scheduling an intake.
You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis
Caring for your mental health should be an important part of caring for your overall health.
Sometimes that means checking in with yourself. Sometimes it means noticing a change in someone you love. And sometimes it means reaching out for additional support.
The important thing is not to wait until you have all the answers before starting the conversation.
Find a behavioral health provider, find an Omni Family Health location, or visit Omni Family Health to learn more about available support.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988. If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.