This Year’s Theme Is “No Judgement. Just Help.”
by Latrice Sampson Richards, LPC-S, LMHC l, Director of Health Initiatives at United Way of Broward County
During the entire month of September, our United Way and community partners are observing National Suicide Prevention Month — and as part of this commemoration, we are honoring the first-ever 988 Day, a nationwide event to be held every year on September 8.
988 Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — a crucial resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress. The theme for the first 988 Day is “No Judgment. Just Help.” — and it underscores the importance of mental health and suicide prevention across our community.
For our United Way team, National Suicide Prevention Month and 988 Day are critical in:
- raising awareness about suicide prevention
- educating our community about this epidemic problem
- identifying the best ways to ensure prevention
- and most importantly, spreading the word that community resources for help are available
One of three pillars of United Way of Broward County’s mission is Health, and one of the many ways we are galvanizing communities, crisis centers, and mental health advocates is by promoting the life-saving work of 988.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember help is available with 988 through calls, texts, or chats. Contact 988 anytime, day or night, for immediate, free, and confidential support from trained crisis counselors.
When you call or text 988, here’s what you can expect:
- Initial greeting: You’ll hear a greeting message offering options to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, access help in Spanish, or stay on the line to be routed to your local crisis center.
- Connection to a counselor: Your call will be routed to a local crisis center. A trained crisis counselor will answer your call. He or she will listen to you, provide support, and share resources. The main goal of 988’s trained counselors is to help you through moments of distress.
- Emergency services: If the counselor believes you are in immediate danger, he or she may discuss connecting you to local emergency services, such as 911. However, the counselor first will try to help you with a less invasive plan to keep you safe.
More than half of people experiencing mental distress don’t receive help for their disorders. One primary reason people avoid or delay treatment is because of concerns related to stigma, prejudice, and discrimination.
988 Day’s theme of “No Judgement. Just Help.” is a key part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s outreach efforts. It underscores the importance of destigmatizing any embarrassment or shame when asking for help, instilling hope for navigating through a crisis, and opening channels to receiving better care.
Suicide Prevention Month and 988 Day are powerful platforms focused on dispelling inaccurate or misleading perceptions related to getting assistance with mental health. Suicide affects millions of people, and all of us know family, friends, or loved ones who have struggled at some point with mental crises.
We all can prevent suicide. This week and throughout the month, let’s focus on how to strengthen our community through education, awareness, connection, and support. Here are some actions you can take to advance mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
- Spread the word on your social channels by using hashtags like #NoJudgementJustHelp, #988Lifeline, and #988Day
- Educate yourself about the warning signs of suicide and how to support someone in crisis
- Become a volunteer through one of our United Way’s many programs or at your local crisis center
- Engage in community outreach programs — and one example is our United Way’s Latino Initiative
- Make a donation to organizations like United Way of Broward County which support the 988 Lifeline and operate mental health initiatives
- Do something constructive to care for your own mental health
And of course, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or use the chat at 988lifeline.org.
Your individual actions contribute to a powerful, collective effort in creating a community that places a premium value on mental and physical health. By being informed about all the available resources alleviating suicidal thoughts, substance use, and other mental health crises, you can be an instrumental force in saving lives.
Interested in learning more about how to get involved or any specific resources related to 988 or our United Way? Please email me at [email protected].
