September is the month dedicated to focusing on the seriousness of suicide. This month offers a time to reach out and be a helping hand.

There are tons of resources available to Southeastern students. The Wellness Center is located in the student union and on the second floor is the counseling office.

September is used to raise awareness, connect people with the right sources and services. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.”

A great way to raise awareness for suicide prevention is #BeThe1To this is a national suicide prevention lifeline message that really helps get the word out about what an individual can do to help with someone considering suicide.

www.nami.org

This message from suicidepreventionlifeline.org offers six main ways of how you can “Be The 1 To”

• Ask: Asking in a caring way, there is research that has sown that asking actually offers relief to person considering suicide.
  Keep them safe: keeping lethal items away from a person considering suicide.
• Be there: without judgment, make yourself available.
• Help them stayed connected: reaching out and making the connections to the correct resources.
• Follow up: be sure let the person know that you are still available.
• Learn more: continue to educate yourself.

If you or another student is curious, take the mental health screening on the wellness website, and make an appointment to talk to someone. Again, they are located on the second floor of the students union. According to the Student Wellness website, The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m

In case of emergencies:

• Mental Health Emergency: call 1-800-522-1090
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741