Check Your Health- Suicide Awareness: Getting Help Starts with One Conversation

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and it's a good reminder that mental wellbeing takes a team. Support can come from family, friends, care teams, community partners, digital tools, and behavioral health experts. The most important first step is often the simplest one: Say something. Ask a direct question. Help someone connect to care. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a 24/7 free and confidential support line for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Breaking the Stigma Many people hesitate to ask for help because they worry others will judge them. That fear can keep people from getting the support they need. We can all help change that by talking about mental well-being in the same open, caring way we talk about physical health. Stigma often grows from misunderstandings. Education helps people see behavioral health conditions for what they are: health conditions that deserve care, compassion, and treatment. Sharing personal stories, when people feel safe doing so, can also help others feel less alone and make it easier to seek support. 'Talking about mental well-being can feel hard, but silence can make it harder for people to ask for help,' said Clint Thurgood, behavioral health assistant director at Intermountain Health. 'When we check in, listen without judgment, and connect people to support, we help create a culture where seeking care is normal and encouraged. Mental wellness takes a team, and Intermountain has resources to help people find the right support at the right time.' Support networks matter. A trusted friend, family member, physician, advanced practice provider, therapist, school counselor, faith leader, or community partner can help someone take the next step. Check in with others, know warning signs, ask direct questions, and help someone access resources if they feel unsafe. Know, Help, Heal Intermountain's suicide prevention message can be summed up in three words: Know. Help. Heal. Know what to watch for Here are the risk factors and warning signs: Changes in behavior or mood Recent rejection or divorce Giving away belongings Increased use of alcohol or drugs Talking about death, hopelessness, or being a burden to others Financial loss or instability Help Yourself and Others. If you're worried about someone, ask directly: 'Have you had thoughts of suicide?' Asking can feel uncomfortable, but direct questions can reduce suicide risk and open the door to help. Heal with Support. If you've been impacted by a death by suicide, you're not alone. Intermountain Health has people and resources that can help people find behavioral health support. Behavioral Health Services Navigation Line The navigation line helps people find the right resources at the right time to meet their needs. Adults – 833-442-2211 Kids & Teens – 801-313-7711 Callers can expect to talk to someone who can help assess needs and connect them with resources. The line is answered by real people who listen, ask questions, gather information, and help connect callers to appropriate referrals. Those referrals may include Intermountain services, community resources, support groups, assessments, scheduling support, and resources outside the Intermountain system. Behavioral Health Website People can also visit Intermountain Health's Behavioral Health web page to learn more about available services. The behavioral health page includes information about crisis care, inpatient units, behavioral health intensive outpatient programs, outpatient clinics, behavioral health in primary care, addiction medication and recovery, withdrawal management, mindfulness resources, virtual care, and other services. Outpatient Clinics and Primary Care Support Intermountain offers outpatient clinics that include specialty behavioral health services such as counseling, medication management, addiction services, and other treatments. Intermountain also offers behavioral health support in primary care, giving people another way to talk about mental health with a care team they may already know. Expansion of Intermountain Behavioral Health Emergency Services include Behavioral Health Access Centers located at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Alta View Hospital in Sandy, and St. George Regional Hospital. These resources are there for critical behavioral health crisis needs. Intermountain Children's Health has also expanded behavioral health services for children and teens in crisis at the new Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital Behavioral Health Center-Taylorsville Campus. For people who need more support than standard outpatient care, intensive outpatient programs are also an available option. CredibleMind Intermountain Health has teamed up with CredibleMind to offer free, expert-curated mental well-being resources. The platform includes resources across more than 100 topics and can help people with needs such as stress, anxiety, sleep, burnout, and depression. People can access it at Intermountainhealth.crediblemind.com