September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Month, a time when communities come together to raise awareness about suicide and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole. While intervention and crisis response services are crucial components of suicide prevention, it’s equally important to focus on pre-intervention support – the measures and strategies that can help identify at-risk individuals early and provide them with the necessary support before they reach a crisis point. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the significance of pre-intervention support and explore some effective ways to offer assistance during Suicide Prevention Month.

Understanding Pre-Intervention Support

Pre-intervention support refers to the efforts made to identify and assist individuals who might be at risk of suicide before they reach a critical stage. This proactive approach involves creating a safety net of resources, awareness, and outreach mechanisms that aim to prevent individuals from progressing toward a crisis point.

Awareness and Education

One of the fundamental steps in pre-intervention support is raising awareness about the signs of suicide and mental health struggles. By educating communities, schools, workplaces, and families about the warning signs, we empower them to recognize when someone is in distress. Common signs include changes in behavior, withdrawal from social activities, giving away belongings, and expressing feelings of hopelessness.

In this context, the concept of lethal means safety is crucial. Lethal means encompass items usable by individuals in a suicidal crisis, like guns, meds, alcohol, and sharp objects. For Veterans in crisis, quick access to these turns them deadly. However, by creating time and distance from such means, we can significantly reduce the risk of suicide and save lives. This is where initiatives like the VA Keep It Secure program come in, providing guidance on protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Learn more about warning signs. 

Open Conversations

Fostering an environment where open conversations about mental health are encouraged can make a significant difference. Encouraging individuals to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment can help them feel heard and understood. This can be done through workshops, seminars, and community events that provide a safe space for discussions around mental health and suicide. 

Open conversations are essential in destigmatizing mental health, and community resources like Green Beret Foundation Steel Mags Sisterhood, NRL Facebook group, WWP Project Odyssey, Home Base Resilient Warrior, Resilient Family, Resilient Youth, and individual therapy provide vital platforms for individuals to share their experiences and find the support they need.

Learn more about having open conversations about mental health.

Building Supportive Networks

Creating and maintaining strong support networks is crucial in pre-intervention efforts. Friends, family members, colleagues, and mentors can play a vital role in noticing changes in behavior and offering a listening ear. When people feel connected and cared for, they are more likely to reach out for help when they need it. 

Building supportive networks is crucial in suicide prevention, and utilizing community resources like Green Beret Foundation Steel Mags Sisterhood, Special Forces Association (SFA), Team Red White and Blue, and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Peer Support Groups can provide a strong foundation of understanding, camaraderie, and assistance for individuals in need.

Accessible Resources

Having readily accessible resources for mental health support is essential. This includes information about local mental health services, crisis hotlines, and online resources. Making these resources widely known and available can bridge the gap between someone struggling and the help they need. 

In the journey of Pre-Intervention Support, having accessible resources and leveraging community organizations like Save a Warrior, Warriors Heart, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Home Base, and the Special Operations Forces Network (SOF Network) can provide essential tools and networks for individuals on their path to healing.

Contact 988 Lifeline Chat and Text.

Training for Gatekeepers

Certain individuals, often referred to as “gatekeepers,” are more likely to come into contact with individuals at risk of suicide, such as teachers, healthcare professionals, and first responders. Providing these individuals with specialized training in recognizing the signs of suicide and offering initial support can make a significant impact on saving lives.

Learn more about resources available for suicide prevention and awareness training.

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, it’s crucial to remember that early intervention is a key aspect of saving lives. Pre-intervention support focuses on identifying individuals at risk of suicide and providing them with the necessary assistance before they reach a crisis point. By raising awareness, encouraging open conversations, building supportive networks, offering accessible resources, and providing training for gatekeepers, we can create a safety net that helps prevent the tragedy of suicide. Together, we can make a difference and save lives through our collective efforts in suicide prevention.