Media Room

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Suicidality is often portrayed as an individual problem, rather than a valid response to systemic ones. The internal and external conditions of living can feel insurmountable for some folks and it is so important to recognize and validate those feelings. For many who experience thoughts of wanting to die, those thoughts often result from a lack of choice. Much of the time, this lack of choice is related to systemic issues like healthcare, housing, employment, access to resources, exposure to violence, and more.

In addition to my role as a peer support specialist, I also facilitate groups called Alternatives to Suicide. In these groups, participants and facilitators co-create space for conversations around suicide and despair. During Alt2Su groups, participants can talk openly and honestly about their relationship to suicide without fear of clinical or carceral interventions. All facilitators and participants have lived experience with suicidality. Alternatives to Suicide groups are free to attend, voluntary, and confidential. I treasure these spaces, the conversations I’ve had with folks, and the connections I’ve made.

Tips & Resources

For folks who do not experience suicidality, learning that someone close to them is suicidal can feel really scary. It’s natural to react from a place of fear. However, fearful reactions can lead to more trauma or break down trust in a relationship. If at all possible, I encourage folks to take a beat and try to respond from a place of care and curiosity. What in their life has to die in order for someone to want to live? What would make that possible?

For folks looking for free, non-clinical supports, there is a wide variety of resources both in CT and nationally. Toivo and Positive Directions offer Alternatives to Suicide groups in CT and online. RIPPLE offers late night drop-in peer support groups online. For young adults, Join Rise Be has a warmline that folks can call to get support. Trans Lifeline is another warmline option that is specifically for transgender individuals seeking support. New Life II just opened Connecticut’s first peer run respite, where folks can stay for free and receive support during an emotional crisis. NAMI CT offers Out of the Abyss and an online group for young adults that incorporates D&D style role play. Kids in Crisis offers a 24/7 helpline for youth as well as a temporary shelter. Connecticut also has four urgent crisis centers that provide walk-in access for children in an emotional crisis.

These are just some of the resources that are available for individuals who are feeling suicidal. If you or someone you know is in need of additional resources, please reach out to Quinn at qjannetty@positivedirections.org or (475) 999-2605.