We are coming to the end of discussing the 5 Steps in the #BeThe1To campaign with the 4th step this week. Last week we talked about the importance of keeping them safe. This week, we will give you a few ways of how to help someone connect with resources in the community to get the assistance they need.
Ways to Help Someone Connect
Helping someone connect with ongoing supports like groups, organizations, or our Mental Health Task Force number (912-530-8889) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Additional components of a safety net will give them resources in their communities they can know and trust. If you feel comfortable enough, explore some of these possible supports with them. Some questions you could ask are:
– Are you currently seeing a mental health professional?
– Have you seen one in the past? Is this an option for you currently?
– Would you like to participate in any groups that focus on what you are struggling with?
– How would you feel about psychotherapy or being a part of a clinical trial?
Then, it’s important to help them find mental health resources in the community that can effectively fulfill the help they are requesting.
One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a safety plan. Having a safety plan in place includes a list of individuals to contact. With the world being so digital today, there are plenty of online resources as well as apps on your mobile devices that can help. The My3 app is a safety planning and crisis intervention app that can help develop these supports and is stored conveniently on your smartphone for quick access.
Another great resource that we would highly recommend is our online resource directory on our website. Go to www.waynehelp.com > Click on Resource Directory to find many different resources right here in Wayne County! Find a group, organization, or a number to call today so that they can get the help they deserve.
Join the #BeThe1To Movement
You can also go to www.bethe1to.com/join and download a #BeThe1To poster. Help people connect and bring awareness to Suicide Prevention Month by printing them out and hanging them in your communities. We can all take action in one way or another and sometimes something small like hanging up a poster can be big in helping someone through their day.
The Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative would like to invite anyone in our community to be a part of our group. For more information, contact Lana Wright at 912-256-2150. Our meetings are held on the 4th Monday of each month. Our website is www.waynehelp.com and our email is familyconnection@waynehelp.com.
If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, call the number below to speak with a professional in Wayne County.
Mental Health Task Force # for Wayne County:
Business Hours 9am-5pm: 912-530-8889
After Hours: 912-256-2150
As always, if you see warning signs of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 911.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on collaborative meetings and other events. We have another meeting coming up on Monday, September 28th!
In addition, please like and share. We’d love for these articles to reach everyone in the Wayne County Community!