The E in CARE is for Encourage:
Suicide Prevention (4/4)

During the month of September (and a little into October), Mary expands her discussions on suicide awareness and prevention because of Suicide Awareness Week. In this four part series, she works to give you the skills needed to talk with people that are displaying symptoms of depression and suicide. Everybody has a role in suicide prevention- anyone can save a life. Take this moment of hope and share this information with others.

For the last few weeks Mary talks about the FACTS and how very important it is to CARE (Connect, Ask, Refer, and Encourage). If you haven’t had a chance to watch and learn more from the previous three suicide prevention Facebook Morning Live videos- we encourage you to when you have a chance. In this Friday Morning Live video, Mary discusses the next step in CARE: Encourage.

Encourage (Part 4/4)

In this special Facebook Morning Live, Mary shares how to talk about suicide, more resources for suicide prevention, and, most importantly, how important it is for community leaders and support staff to have access to suicide resources for their local community. She highlights how important it is to refer people that need help and to give encouragement to find help. She shares her own experiences with how she works hard to get well and stay well. Just like any kind of help you need to keep encouraging yourself to move forward. Remember to get the FACTS , CARE and, as always, keep your hope alive. You can get well. It takes time and continued support but you can do it- you can get through this hard time. You are strong. This is the message that Mary wants you to remember. Please watch and learn more about how to Encourage yourself or others to get help and stay healthy and full of hope.

National Suicide Prevention Line

Don’t wait until the end of this series to get help or help another. Call for help and resources.

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741.

Facebook Live, October 5, 2018

When It’s Time to Refer:
Suicide Prevention (3/4)

During the month of September (and a little into October), Mary expands her discussions on suicide awareness and prevention because of Suicide Awareness Week. In this four part series, she works to give you the skills needed to talk with people that are displaying symptoms of depression and suicide. Everybody has a role in suicide prevention- anyone can save a life. Take this moment of hope and share this information with others.

For the last few weeks Mary talks about the FACTS and how very important it is to CARE (Connect, Ask, Refer, and Encourage). If you haven’t had a chance to watch and learn more from the previous two suicide prevention Facebook Morning Live videos- we encourage you to when you have a chance. In this Friday Morning Live video, Mary discusses the next step in CARE: Refer.

Refer (Part 3/4)

You don’t have to do suicide prevention alone, and it’s not something that is recommended. Get help with the many, many resources available on Holding the Hope’s resource page or simply connect with a person in your area by calling the National Suicide Prevention Line. Remember to get the FACTS , CARE and, as always, keep your hope alive.

National Suicide Prevention Line

Don’t wait until the end of this series to get help or help another. Call for help and resources.

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741.

Facebook Live, September 28, 2018

Ask, Go ahead…you can do it! :
Suicide Prevention (2/4)

For the month of September, Mary is expanding her discussions on suicide awareness and prevention because of Suicide Awareness Week. In this four part series, she will work to give you the skills needed to talk with people that displaying symptoms of depression and suicide. Everybody has a role in suicide prevention- anyone can save a life. Take this moment of hope and share this information with others.

Last week Mary talked about the FACTS (Feelings, Actions, Changes, Threats, and Situations)– these are established symptoms of depression and, also, suicide. If you see these symptoms in a person, then it’s important to CARE (Connect, Ask, Refer, and Encourage). First you Connect meaning to listen, come from a place of concern, and let the person know that you are there and care. Be with them- let them know that they are seen and heard. The next part of CARE is Ask.

Ask (Part 2/4)

Some will shy away from part two of CARE, Ask. They think that merely asking if someone is suicidal will make them suicidal. But what we know is asking about suicide directly and clearly can save lives. It is an invitation to let the person in pain talk about their pain and thoughts of suicide. They are relieved. Your role is to listen. No advice and no plan needed- you just need to actively listen. When they’re talking to you then they are not obsessing about suicide. This is hard for everyone because suicide is a heavy topic. You will have to ask next the No Dodge Question; it is made of three parts. The question is yes or no, in present tense, and direct.

Are you thinking about suicide?

If the answer is anything but a sincere no– that person may be suicidal. If the person you’ve asked tries to keep it a secret between the two of you that’s a yes. Try to connect them with someone that has a professional, medical degree to help them. Watch this video from Mary to learn more, keep hope alive, and CARE.

National Suicide Prevention Line

Don’t wait until the end of this series to get help or help another. Call for help and resources.

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741.

Facebook Live, September 14, 2018

Just the FACTS please:
Suicide Prevention (1/4)

For the month of September, Mary is expanding her discussions on suicide awareness and prevention because of Suicide Awareness Week. In this four part series, she will work to give you the skills needed to talk with people that displaying symptoms of depression and suicide. Everybody has a role in suicide prevention- anyone can save a life. Take this moment of hope and share this information with others.

The FACTS

People get scared when trying to confront and/or help with suicide prevention. Don’t be a Miss Dismiss Ignore- learn the FACTS: Feelings, Actions, Changes, Threats, and Situations. When do you act? Listen to your gut.

  • Feelings:
    Think about another person’s feelings- are they feeling hopeless, down, disconnected- these feelings are notable.
  • Actions:
    Is this person using more drugs or alcohol, giving away possessions, not enjoying their hobbies, pushing people away, isolation, etc?
  • Changes:
    Have you noticed changes in their eating, sleeping, sexual behavior? If so, this can be an indication of depression. Not everyone that is depressed is suicidal- that’s why you need the FACTS. Are these changes new? Communicate with other people that care about this person to see if there are reasons for them being down.
  • Threats:
    If they actual say something in the vein of: “They’d be better off without me.” “No one would miss me.” These are threats to themselves. They can be obvious or vague but listen to a person’s context. Stop and listen.
  • Situations:
    Have they had some kind of loss (job, death, etc) or a change in relationship that may have caused depression in the last few weeks?

Now that you know the FACTS, Mary will be discussing how to help with CARE (Connect, Ask, Refer, and Encourage). This first week she will be discussing how to Connect.

CARE
Connect
Let them know they are seen and cared about. Think about what it means to you for you to have a real connection? How would it be best to show you are there? Listen and connect. Learn how with Mary.

National Suicide Prevention Line

Don’t wait until the end of this series to get help or help another. Call for help and resources.

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741.

Facebook Live, September 7, 2018

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Mary wants you to know that you don’t have to do your recovery alone. We need people. Tune in to hear this uplifting message of hope. Recovery lives in your heart, relationships, in growth, in community, and connections with others. There are so many people that care about you. Mary discusses the power that happens when people come together on their recovery journey. Find someone to connect with in some small way!

Facebook Live, August 10, 2018

We Have Everything We Need!


This week Mary is meeting new candidates to train in suicide prevention out in the Mojave Desert way out of Holding the Hope Central and her normal routine. Watch as she discusses how to continue with mental health recovery and mindfulness when you have to change your external environment and/or your routine. Take a break, take a breath and remember to enjoy the moment.

Facebook Live, August 3, 2018

Safety Is Overrated

Mary wants to talk to you about personal risk. Taking a risk is uncomfortable and can make you feel vulnerable at times, however without any risk it is hard to grow and recover.  In recovery, your community of support should be trauma informed to foster safety and trust while also promoting empowerment and collaboration. In other words, the people that love you are there for you with hope, with care, and with acceptance.

Facebook Live, July 27, 2018

Mindfulness and Squirrels

In this very special Friday Morning Live, Mary and her special guest, Sarah Jensen, discuss another aspect of dealing with trauma, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or mindfulness. DBT is a cognitive behavioral treatment that can be used to help with trauma recovery. They discuss being in the moment, finding your calm amongst the hustle and bustle of your day. Learn more with these two wonderful ladies about how to achieve mindfulness during your day.

Facebook Live, July 20, 2018

It Was Never You


Mary wants to discuss trauma and your pathway to healing from it. She has an important message for you, “It was never you.” Regardless of how trauma arrived in your life, it was always about the group or individual that inflicted this trauma onto you. They did this to you. Remember you are worth your recovery. Never give up- there’s more healing coming. Love more, heal more, and stay strong.

Facebook Live, July 13, 2018

Respect! Just a Little Bit!

Mary’s take on this SAMHSA Guiding Principle of Recovery is one of introspection. We have to respect ourselves – that’s where it all begins.

Facebook Live July 6, 2018