I heard about this this morning and I wanted to share it everywhere I could to ensure a WIDE distribution.
The National Suicide Prevention lifeline has updated their number to be more easily memorable; all you need to do now is dial 988 on your landline or cell phone to be connected to the program if you feel that you need help. You can also text the number or start a chat online at their website https://988lifeline.org/. Veterans can dial the number and then press 1 to be connected to people trained to deal with the specific types of issues veterans face.
I’m sharing this here because I’m hoping that all of you who see this will also share it far and wide on your various social media accounts. And who knows; you may save at least one person who was having problems simply by sharing this. While I have not lost anyone to suicide myself, I feel that it’s an important topic that needs to be talked about freely and not kept in the dark. So please share this everywhere you can so we can hopefully save that one life who needs help.
We lost a dear friend to suicide a few years ago and I’m still coming to terms with it. If you ever feel like that’s an option, please, please talk to someone about it. And if someone you know talks about it, encourage them to talk to someone who can help. And if you know someone who encourages others to commit suicide, definitely reconsider your relationship with them.
If someone you know is entertaining darker thoughts, being there for them helps but keep in mind that they might not be ready to talk about things and you don’t need to find the answer. Support them, and listen to them when they are comfortable sharing. Let them know you can help them to find help. This is a big reason why the hotline’s new number is short and easy to remember. Keep it in a back pocket.
If you do end up supporting someone, thank you. It can be challenging and there are support channels for you, too, if and when you need them.
Gotta update the USA number, @BooDooBoo (as per my OP, the number’s now the simple 988), but otherwise thank you for giving the numbers from other countries!