September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and it is a good time to remind ourselves that our words, actions, and support can truly make a difference in the lives of those who are facing the darkness of mental health challenges. We must acknowledge the pain that some individuals are silently enduring and let them know they are not alone. It's also a good time to share national and local resources in place to help those in crisis.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. Uncomfortable on the phone? You can chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. Know you are not alone. There is help available, and there are people who care deeply about your well-being.
Along with the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, there are also several options in Brevard County for finding help for you or someone you know who is experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide. Some of those options include:
211 Brevard
- Click here to visit their website - large resource database available
- Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898211 - help with housing or shelter, food, utility payments, health care, disaster assistance, and mental health and addictions
- Text "BeThe1To" to 898211 to sign up for supportive, automated text messages
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Brevard County
- Click here to visit their website - check the "resources" tab
- Call (321) 345-3635 or email namibrevard@gmail.com for information on classes and support groups available in the area
Florida Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Region 7
- Click here to visit their website - support groups are available
To Write Love on Her Arms
- Click here for a list of local resources, including counseling centers and support groups
Out of the Darkness Brevard County Walk
- Click here for more info, to register, become a sponsor, or to sign up to volunteer
- 11/04/2023 at Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL
 Infographic by NAMI |
Find warning signs and risk factors of suicide, what you need to know about youth suicide, crisis resources, and more on NAMI.org.
Offer Kindness, Empathy, and Support
During this National Suicide Prevention Month, let's be a beacon of hope for those in need. Our willingness to offer unwavering support, paired with our capacity to listen without judgment, can alter the trajectory of someone's life. Together, we can work towards creating a community where mental health is openly discussed, where struggles are met with compassion, and where every individual knows that they matter.
Let's unite in kindness, empathy, and solidarity. Let's light up the darkness with love and understanding. Remember, there's always hope – and there's always help.
