#BeThe1To... Suicide prevention awareness month

Along with September’s month-long celebration of Recovery comes a sadder topic: suicide. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize signs that someone is suffering early on and to reach out and offer help.

We invite you to be a part of the solution! Here are some simple ideas:

• #BeThe1To is the national effort to change our conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing and help and give hope. YOU can Be the 1 to Ask... Keep Them Safe... Help Connect.

• Learn how by attending a Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training this month:

• at Positive Directions in Westport on 9/11 (register)

• at Brien McMahon High School on 9/12 in the evening

• at Norwalk Hospital on 9/16 from 3-5pm (rsvp)

• in Stratford in Spanish on 9/26 (call 203-385-4095).

• Youth and young adults are more likely to text for help than call. Please print out the flyer for the Crisis Text Line and hang it anywhere they will see it.

• With your family or youth group, make an Anchor Box and leave it where someone will find it. Be sure to include our regional lists of available services and support groups.

• Get trained to become a facilitator for peripartum support groups. Info on 9/21 training here.

• Download the Suicide Resources postcard (shown below) and post it on your social media and at work, school and in the community!

Also: Please join us for the launch of the Southwest Regional Suicide Advisory Board (SW SAB) at our kickoff meeting this Friday, September 13 from 12pm-2pm at HSC Community Services, 1 Park St., Norwalk (2nd floor-Conference Room). Please rsvp to info@thehubct.org

Coming next month: Join a team next month for the Out of the Darkness Walk organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - CT Chapter each year in Westport. See you there on Saturday, October 26!