Suicide Prevention: Saving Lives by Speaking Up

Saving lives by telling people it’s okay to ask for help.
 
That’s the goal of a Moorhead group raising awareness about suicide and suicide prevention.  

May is Mental Health Month.

Folks with the National Association on Mental Health, or NAMI, say one in five people are touched by mental health, but far too few of those people get the help they need.
 
NAMI hosted a suicide awareness event at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Moorhead.

Rothsay, Minnesota mother Maria Willits spoke about her son’s suicide, and her efforts to keep similar tragedies from happening again.

Organizers say most suicides could be prevented if people were more willing to ask questions.

NAMI hosts support groups in Moorhead twice a month for people diagnosed with mental illness, that they say could be the difference between life and death.

“It’s the first step, and you just have to be brave enough to come out and listen. You don’t have to do anything but listen, take the information in and put it on your coffee table at home so you can talk about it.”
 
Advocates say it’s important to spot potential suicidal behavior and act before it’s too late.
 
They’re sure to point out that suicide doesn’t just affect young people.

It can happen to people of any age and any background.