Crisis

The 988 Launch – How are We Considering the Needs of Historically Marginalized Communities?

The 988 Launch – How are We Considering the Needs of Historically Marginalized Communities?

About 12 million adults seriously consider suicide each year. For those ages 10 to 34, suicide is the second most common cause of death. Substance use challenges, addictive behaviors, trauma and complicated grief often lead to tremendous despair and disruption for individuals, families and communities.

Recognizing these and other statistics, Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in 2020. The bill established means for a new, federally and state-funded network of suicide prevention centers that Americans could call with a 3-digit code: 988.

Now—after years of careful planning—the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launches nationwide on July 16, 2022.

Guest panelists from several areas of mental health advocacy joined Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas on June 23, 2022 for an #ElevateTheConvo Twitter chat about the initiative.

My Night on Stage at the Grammys: Standing Up for Suicide Loss and Attempt Survivors

My Night on Stage at the Grammys: Standing Up for Suicide Loss and Attempt Survivors

That moment when you are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow suicide loss and attempt survivors on the Grammy’s stage at Madison Square Garden during the grand finale while nominees Logic, Khalid and Alessia Cara sing 1-800-273-8255…and you think – maybe, just maybe, our time has come…

Suicide Prevention among Men Who Experience Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

Suicide Prevention among Men Who Experience Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

When sexual trauma happens in the military, feelings of betrayal often emerge because the expectation is that those who serve alongside you are meant to protect, not harm you. The effects of this broken trust can be devastating. Given the social nature of the military and the likelihood that a victim of MST would have to continue to work or live near their assailant, the environment alone may create conditions for prolonged exposure, leaving an impact like that of on-going family violence...