Suicide Prevention Month: When to Ask for Help
September is Suicide Prevention Month. This is a reminder that mental health deserves attention, conversation, and care throughout the year.
As summer comes to an end and routines begin to shift, September can be a natural time to pause and check in with yourself.
For some people, the transition back to school, increased work demands, changes in family routines, or simply the shorter days ahead can bring increased stress. For others, symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other mental health concerns may have been present for months or even years but have gradually become difficult to ignore.
Mental health concerns do not always look like a crisis. Sometimes, they look like functioning, but struggling.
You Don't Have to Be in Crisis to Seek Help
One of the most common misconceptions about mental health treatment is that you need to be experiencing severe symptoms before seeking professional care.
You don't.
Psychiatric care can be helpful when symptoms are beginning to interfere with your relationships, work, school, sleep, concentration, or overall quality of life.
You may benefit from an evaluation if you have noticed:
Persistent sadness, irritability, or loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
Excessive worry or difficulty relaxing
Difficulty concentrating or staying organized
Chronic problems with motivation, productivity, or follow-through
Changes in sleep or appetite
Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities that previously felt manageable
Increasing difficulty managing emotions
Symptoms that are interfering with work, school, relationships, or daily life
A sense that something feels “off,” even if you cannot quite identify what it is
Sometimes the first step is not medication. A psychiatric evaluation can help clarify what is happening and identify appropriate treatment options.
September Is Also an Opportunity to Talk About Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Month is an important reminder that conversations about suicide can save lives.
If you are concerned that someone you know may be struggling, don't be afraid to ask how they are doing. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts does not create suicidal thoughts. It can instead communicate that you are willing to listen and take their experience seriously.
Warning signs can include significant changes in behavior or mood, withdrawing from others, expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden, giving away possessions, or talking about death or suicide.
If someone is in immediate danger or has a plan or intention to harm themselves, seek emergency help. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an immediate emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Mental Health Care Can Be Preventive Care
We routinely schedule physical examinations, dental cleanings, and other preventive appointments. Mental health deserves the same kind of attention.
A psychiatric evaluation can provide an opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture:
What symptoms are you experiencing?
How long have they been present?
How are they affecting your life?
Could there be an underlying condition contributing to them?
What treatment options might help?
For some people, the answer may be psychotherapy. For others, medication may be appropriate. Sometimes the most helpful intervention is better understanding what is happening and creating a plan.
And sometimes, an evaluation provides reassurance that what you're experiencing does not require psychiatric treatment.
You Don't Have to Wait Until Things Get Worse
If you've been telling yourself that you'll seek help “when things get really bad,” consider making this September a time to check in with yourself instead.
You don't have to wait for a crisis to take your mental health seriously.
At Grace Psychiatry, I provide individualized psychiatric evaluations and medication management for adolescents and adults throughout Virginia, with particular experience in ADHD, women's mental health, anxiety, depression, and related concerns.
If you have questions about whether psychiatric care may be appropriate for you, request an appointment or learn more about services at Grace Psychiatry.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988. If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Grace Psychiatry PLLC
Thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric care for adolescents and adults.
