Nami Georgia for Change

Nami Georgia for Change

The mission of NAMI Georgia is to empower affiliates to create communities where all affected by mental illness find hope, help, and acceptance through support, education, and advocacy. Across the state of Georgia, hundreds of trained volunteer leaders and 18+ local affiliates work together to provide peerled education programs, support groups, presentations, and trainings to a variety of communities and groups. NAMI programs are provided at no-cost to participants.

The goal of NAMI is to advocate at the county, state and national levels for non-discriminatory access to quality healthcare, housing , education and employment for people with mental illness. Educate the public about mental illness. Work to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. Advocate for increased funding for research into the causes and treatment of mental illness. For information about this great organization go to https://namiga.org/about-nami-georgia/.

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. In honor of this day, V4P will be screening the ‘S Word’ a film directed by Lisa Klein supporting suicide prevention. This movie is not available for public viewing and only be seen through our virtual screening event. This film is about a suicide attempt survivor “on a mission to find fellow survivors and document their stories of unguarded courage, insight, pain, and humor.” The screening for the S Word will be at 6pm. Click the button below to RSVP. We can’t wait to see you at the screening!

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The Georgia Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has been doing amazing work for suicide prevention for years. So it is no surprise that AFSP is our 5th organization to be highlighted on World Suicide Prevention Day. The Georgia chapter focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide in Georgia by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. To find out more information about AFSP initiatives go to https://afsp.org/chapter/georgia

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Mental Health America of Georgia

Mental Health America of Georgia

Mental Health America of Georgia or MHA of GA is the primary resource of choice for prevention and early intervention programs, with information, education, and training in mental health and wellness. MHA of GA maintains a strong and viable organization to deliver their mission of an increased mental wellness for Georgians, and advance our vision of mental health. They also influence policy change through education and advocacy, with focus on a individual’s right to live an independent and fulfilling life. For more informaiton you can go to https://www.mhageorgia.org/.

IAMHOLDENON INC. (IAHO) is an Atlanta based nonprofit arts organization that produces content to uplift the human spirit. IAMHOLDENON creates entertaining and educational content to uplift the human spirit. Our upcoming mental wellness documentary series, HOPE GIVERS, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, will highlight hope and resilience across Georgia. We screened our series to 500 educators across the State of Georgia – 98% believe our series will help save young lives. Suicide prevention to IAHO means listening, creating partnerships, and advocating for mandatory mental education in schools in the same manner as we require physical education. To learn more go to https://iamholdenon.org/ .

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

The Trevor Project & He Is Valuable

SPAN GA & The Yellow Elephant

The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. The Trevor Project was founded more than two decades ago to respond to a public health crisis impacting LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project provides suicide prevention trainings and resources to anyone who requests. To find out more about The Trevor Project go to https://www.thetrevorproject.org/about/programs-services/.

He Is Valuable is another great organization doing great work with suicide prevention in Georgia. He Is Valuable, Inc. (HIV, Inc.) was founded in 2015 by Richard A. Hutchinson, Jr. and Kendall T. Boone, Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our HIS Program (He Is Supported) He Is Valuable, inc navigates Black Queer Men to Mental Health Services and Resources. This work is carried out through using our HIS Hotline number that members can call anything to get assistance in their times of need including in times of suicidal thoughts and ideations. The HIS Hotline phone number is 404-992-5104.

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Organization Highlight – SPAN GA & The Yellow Elephant

SPAN GA & The Yellow Elephant

The next organizations we are highlighting during National Suicide Prevention Week are SPAN GA & The Yellow Elephant. Suicide Prevention Action Network, Georgia (SPAN-GA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preventing suicide through public education, awareness, community action, and local grassroots advocacy. Their organization was created to raise awareness, build political will and promote the call for action with regard to creating, advancing, implementing and evaluating a state strategy to address suicide in Georgia. SPAN GA work is guided by our underlying priorities: advancing public policy, organizing communities, supporting and engaging survivors, and breaking stigma.

The Yellow Elephant is a non-profit orgnaization located in Georgia. Their mission is to educate, encourage, and support individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, mental illness, and related issues and their loved ones by creating safe environments where love, appreciation, knowledge, feelings, and thoughts can be freely shared without judgment. For more information about upcoming initiatives and events with The Yellow Elephant go to https://theyellowelephant.org/.

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Organization Highlight – DBHDD

Organization Highlight - DBHDD

Throughout Georgia there are organizations fighting for change daily within suicide prevention. For National Suicide Prevention week, we intend to highlight just a few of these amazing organizations. The first organization we will highlight is The Division of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). The DBHDD has a Suicide Prevention Program located within the Georgia in the Division of Behavioral Health, Office of Behavioral Health Prevention (OBHP). Through a multi-faceted approach of suicide prevention trainings, public policy, evidence-based interventions, and postvention strategies, the Suicide Prevention team works with government agencies, behavioral health organizations, community partners, non-profit organizations, educators, clinicians, and law enforcement to mitigate suicide attempts and suicide deaths in our state.

DBHDD has even created a 2020-2025 Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan that will serve as a guiding light for everyone in our great state who is passionate about suicide prevention. For more information about the program and the strategic plan go to https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/bh-prevention/suicide-prevention

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor Activities

Sunshine, fresh air, and the wind on your face. All things that only nature can provide. All things proven to raise morale and depression. Outdoor activities are our last self-care focus for the week. Connecting to nature and its elements is a great way to connect to your inner voice and relax. Studies have shown being in nature lowers stress levels, improves productivity, and promotes happiness. Some outdoor self-care activities are going for a walk, gardening, taking a hike, and laying out in a hammock.

Leaving your desk and home when possible for a nature break can give your brain a break from an overstimulated situation. ‘Grounding’ can also provide you with a great way to enjoy nature while centering yourself. Grounding is when a person connects their body physically with the earth. For example, standing bare foot in the grass is a way to become grounded. Letting the sun hit your face and taking deep breathes outside is another activity that can help reduce stress and promote a relaxed state.

Dealing with Covid-19 and quarantine, it is important to always stay safe and healthy with all self-care activities. So be sure to keep 6 feet away from other people and make sure to have a face mask when out in public.

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Therapy

Therapy

Stress, anxiety, and depression can sometimes cause a lack of care for yourself. Making sure to maintain healthy sleeping habits, eating habits, and motivation during the hard times is key. Making sure you meet your emotional and physical needs is important, which is why today’s self-care focus is therapy. Often talking to someone helps relieve anxiety or stress and improves one’s mood. Talking to a professional can help guide a person to the root of a negative thought, leading to a better management of triggers.

Speaking to a therapist provides a person with an nonjudgmental, professional ear to process their emotions and develop the proper tools in dealing with tough emotions. While therapy can be expense, today therapy has become increasingly more accessible. For example, there now several companies that offer virtual and mobile therapy sessions for half of the traditional cost.

Some of the most popular companies are TalkSpace, Betterhelp, Teen Counseling, and Pride Counseling. If you are interested in finding a therapist in your area, you can check out the Georgia Psychological Association website at https://www.gapsychology.org/search/custom.asp?id=2175. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Meditation

Meditation

We hear this form of self-care often, but is it truly? Mindfulness or meditation can be as diverse as it is personal. Mindfulness is a practice of using mindful or focusing techniques to train your attention and awareness; to ultimately achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. This state can be achieved in various ways. Through mindful mediation, guided meditation, or mantra meditation to name a few. So how does mindfulness help with self-care?

Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. When performed, mindfulness can restore your body to a calm state and help the body repair itself. Calming your breath and practicing the refocusing of your thoughts helps to redirect you when falling into negative thinking patterns. When starting out, try practicing mindfulness for at least five minutes per day. Some other simple strategies are counting your breaths and focus on listening to your breathing, while calming your body. There are countless ways to finding your preferred method of mindfulness, but the key is to start.

To gain more information about mindfulness check out this NY Times Article at https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-meditate. If you are interested in learning more about sacred listening and mindfulness, you can go to Darby Christopher’s website https://www.revdarbychristopher.com/.

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Exercise

Exercise

For the first week of Suicide Prevention Month, we will be exploring suicide prevention through self-care. Self-care can be seen in many ways, but one thing is for certain. Self-care is an activity that means to take care of a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. The practice of self-care can provide a you with a much-needed coping mechanism when you are bogged down by life with stress, depression, and anxiety.

Today we will be focusing on Journaling. Studies have shown that journaling daily is a great to manage anxiety, reduce stress, and cope with depression. Journaling is a useful tool in managing overwhelming emotions that can make day to day activities hard. By writing down your thoughts, problems, fears, and concerns it allows for you to track/recognize your triggers and begin to identify your stressors. It can also provide you with the opportunity for positive self-talk.

Here are some quick tips to get you started journaling: Try to write something down for a few minutes out the day, always make your entry easy (keeping a pen and paper by near you at all times, consider writing in your phone/tablet), and there are no rules in journaling/ you can write whatever feels right to you. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

What does suicide prevention mean to you? V4P is having a virtual art gallery on all social media platforms to find out what you see suicide prevention as. Use the #Art4Prevention and post a picture of your art whether it’s a painting, poem, drawing, or collage of what suicide prevention means to you. When you submit your artwork, you will automatically be entered into a V4P raffle prize. All posts using the #Art4Prevention will be highlighted on our website and entered into a raffle for a V4P basket giveaway! The winner of the giveaway will be announced on September 30th. Can’t wait to see what you create!

 

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.