Skip to main content

Finding Hope: A December Reflection on Suicide Prevention

You Are Not Alone


Hey Y'all. 

Happy December and Happy Holidays to those that celebrate them!

Moving on from Thanksgiving to now, the winter holidays are often portrayed as cheerful times with twinkling lights, joyful gatherings, and warm memories. But for many, December carries a different vibe... of loneliness and maybe even grief and struggle. 

I know I mentioned this last year during the holidays, but while others celebrate, some are simply trying to make it through the day. And if that’s you, or someone you know or love, please know this: you are not alone, and your feelings are valid.

I get it! The holidays can feel so very isolating sometimes. Thoughts like “Nothing matters” can bombard our minds, rattling our sense of peace. According to the CDC and NIMH, nearly 46,000 lives were lost to suicide in the U.S. in 2020. 

Behind each of those numbers was someone with a story, a heart, a life that mattered deeply.

The good news is that suicidal thoughts are treatable symptoms, not life sentences. With the right support, things can get better.


🧠 Know the Signs

Whether it’s in yourself or someone close to you, watch for warning signs:

  • Withdrawal from loved ones or usual activities

  • Dramatic mood swings

  • Increased alcohol or drug use

  • Giving away personal belongings

  • Saying goodbye in unexpected or subtle ways

If you notice any of these signs, please, please, please take them seriously. Reach out. Talk. Listen. Sometimes the quietest “I’m fine” is actually a call for help.

⚠️ Risk Doesn’t Always Look the Same

Certain risk factors increase vulnerability:

  • A history of trauma or prolonged stress

  • Chronic illness or pain

  • Substance use

  • Family history of suicide

  • Access to firearms

These risk factors can compound the weight you or someone you know is carrying. The important thing is that help is available and healing is possible.

🤝 What You Can Do

If someone opens up to you, respond with presence, empathy, and compassion. You don’t need the perfect words; you just need to be there.

Try saying:

  • “Do you feel safe right now?”

  • “Would you like help connecting with a professional?”

  • “I’m here. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Avoid dismissing their feelings or rushing to “fix” them. Instead, gently encourage professional support and, when possible, remove access to harmful items. 

Call 988, which is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, anytime; they're available 24/7.

🌱 Hope Is Real

Treatments like therapy and medication can help manage emotional pain, so can building a circle of support through friends, family, or even online communities who see and hear you without judgment.

This season, let’s remember that joy and pain can exist at the same time. Be kind to yourself and others. Check in. Speak up. Offer grace.


💬 A Note From Me

As someone who works in health and wellness, I’ve seen firsthand how heavy this season can be for people behind the smiles and festivities. Obviously mental health matters year-round, but December is an especially important time to check in with ourselves and those around us.

This topic is dear to my heart y'all, and I'm sharing from one human to another. 

Again, if you or someone you know is in crisis, don’t wait. 

EM


📚 Resources:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 support

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): www.nami.org

  • Therapy Finder (Psychology Today): www.psychologytoday.com

  • Local Support Groups & Mental Health Clinics: Search your zip code + “mental health services”

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Black Folks & Yoga

Why Yoga Can Work Wonders for Our Mental and Physical Health Hey again, y'all! We know that Yoga is an ancient practice that's been around for thousands of years, and it offers countless benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. However, the Black community has historically been underrepresented if not entirely absent in yoga spaces.  Often perceived as a practice for wealthy, white women, yoga can feel exclusionary. Youtube isn't exactly overflowing with Black yoga instructors and some spaces can make yoga feel unwelcoming.  I remember how I felt going into my first few classes-- completely out of place. Not to mention, yoga classes and club memberships can be on the pricey side.  Nevertheless, yoga can offer us tools to address our mental health challenges, build some physical strength, and foster community.  Surviving these next few years will require us to prioritize self-care, reduce our stress levels and take our overall wellbeing seriously.  Benefits of Yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Brain Exercises to Keep You Mentally Sharp

Boost Your Memory, Focus, and Mental Clarity  With A Few Brain Activities 🧠 Hey Everyone, I'm back with some fun and creative ways of exercising our brains, because it's just as important as caring for our bodies. While many older adults are focused on keeping their minds sharp, the truth is, people of all ages benefit from flexing their mental muscles. These activities can help support memory, improve focus, and even make daily tasks feel easier and more fluid. Let’s explore 13 brain-boosting practices that are both evidence-based and enjoyable. 🧩 1. Jigsaw Puzzles From 100 pieces to 1,000, puzzles challenge your brain to think in new ways. They support visual-spatial reasoning and memory, and they offer a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you click that last piece into place.                🧠 Bonus: Research suggests puzzles may help reduce cognitive aging over time. ♠️ 2. Card Games Grab a deck and gather a few friends or f...
1 comment
Read more

Get Out the Vote!

Hey y'all! It's been a while, a long while to be exact!  But, I'm back!  Let's jump in on the topic of voting. Who Can Vote? To vote you must be: A US citizen At least 18 years old on Election Day A resident of Minnesota for 20 days  Not currently in jail for a felony conviction Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote Your criminal record doesn't affect your right to vote in Minnesota unless you are currently in jail on a felony conviction. This means you can vote if: you were charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor you are in jail, but are not serving a felony sentence you have been charged with a felony, but you haven't been convicted you have been given a stay of adjudication you have been convicted of a felony but are not incarcerated you are on work release, even if you return to a jail facility at night You cannot vote if you are currently incarcerated serving a felony sentence As long as a judge didn't restrict ...
Post a Comment
Read more