Suicidal Ambivalence & How to Support Loved Ones in Crisis
CW: Mentions of suicidal ideation. As a crisis counselor for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, I supported a diverse range of individuals facing challenging and distressing situations....
View ArticleDoes my Crisis “Count?”
CW: Mentions of suicidal ideation and self-harm. “I’m sorry for wasting your time–” “I don’t mean to be a burden–” “I’m not sure if this counts as a crisis–” As a Crisis Text Counselor, I receive...
View ArticleFrom Grief to Advocacy: Why Schools Must Prioritize Youth Mental Health
CW: Suicide When I was twelve years old, I walked onto my middle school campus for what seemed like an ordinary morning. The air was cold, and the skies were unusually gray for spring––a Friday the...
View ArticleMental Health First Aid
CW: Mentions of suicide and self-harm. What does it mean to be a mental health first responder? We hear this term a lot today, so let’s explore the concept and get a better understanding of who mental...
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Mental Health Awareness
Every fall, we have a couple of back-to-back awareness months surrounding mental health. While September is dedicated to suicide prevention awareness, October focuses on mental health more broadly....
View ArticlePreventing Suicide Today & Every Day
Content Warning: Suicide Words fall short in many situations, and for those impacted by suicide in any way, this rings exceptionally true. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to...
View ArticleThe Benefits of a Suicide Safety Plan
CW: Suicidal ideation, Suicide It can be challenging to reach out for help, especially in times of distress. Some people find it easier to deal with issues alone, even when the situation becomes...
View ArticleRemoving Shame From Negative Coping Mechanisms to Heal
CW: Binge eating, self-harm, addiction. Most people deal with stress throughout their lives. Learning to cope with stress in healthy ways can make people more resilient and help combat chronic illness...
View ArticleMy Grandma
CW: Suicide My Grandma and Grandpa have been two of the most important people in my life since the moment I was born. For just over 19 years, I never had to imagine life without either of them, until...
View ArticleNonbinary Pride
CW: Suicidal thoughts. Happy Pride Month, everybody! I don’t know about you, but I’m proud to still be alive. My name is Fe, and I’m nonbinary. I use this term because it’s the most well-known, but...
View ArticleFrom Despair to Healing: A Personal Journey Through Mental Health Struggles
I’m just going to say it…life is hard, and sometimes I want to die. Sometimes I feel a rush of unbearable sadness take over me. It turns out I’m not alone. To get through some statistics quickly — from...
View ArticleApplications Open! Join the 2022 Fall/Winter You Matter Blogger Council
It’s that time of year again, folks! We’re looking for bloggers to join the 2022 Fall/Winter You Matter Blogger Council. The deadline to apply is November 1st, 2022. You Matter has always been a space...
View ArticleHow to #BeThe1To Help Someone Else
Content Warning: Suicidal Thoughts If you’ve ever frequented the hallways of a middle school or high school, it’s likely that you’ve heard lots of things. Snippets of conversation, gossip, and news of...
View ArticleHow to Help a Loved One Experiencing Suicidal Ideation
Content Warning: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Living with...
View ArticleStarting the Conversation #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth
*If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, please call 911* September is National Suicide Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to learn how to have an open and compassionate conversation...
View ArticleCreating a Culture of Suicide Prevention
What does suicide prevention mean to you? Maybe it’s something you’ve never discussed; maybe it’s something you’ve been involved in for years. Suicide prevention is a cause for everyone; it can be in...
View ArticleBlack Mental Health Matters: Warning Signs and Resources for the Black Community
Did you know that the suicide rate of Black children under the age of thirteen is twice as high as their white counter parts? And the rates of Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder,...
View ArticleYou Shouldn’t Be Saying “Committed Suicide” (And Here’s Why)
Language is easily one of the most important parts of who we are as people and it plays a significant role in our everyday lives. Our need to communicate with those around is a key component of who we...
View ArticleWhat It’s Like Being A Crisis Counselor
It’s a myth that asking someone if they are suicidal will suddenly implant the idea. As a highly stigmatized topic, it’s not surprising that there is misinformation about discussing it with those who...
View ArticleTalking With My Mom About Suicide Loss
It is hard to remember a time before I understood the meaning of the word “suicide.” My mom Joanne, who works in the mental health field, made sure it was never a taboo subject in my household despite...
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