CW: Mentions of suicide and self-harm. What does it mean to be a mental health first responder? We hear this term a lot today, so let’s explore the concept and get a better understanding of who mental health first responders are and why they matter. Today, suicide remains a global leader in causes of death. […]
Every fall, we have a couple of back-to-back awareness months surrounding mental health. While September is dedicated to suicide prevention awareness, October focuses on mental health more broadly. With World Mental Health Day coming up on October 10th, we’re trying to spread some awareness! Spreading awareness is important because it offers connection to community, education, […]
Content Warning: Suicide Words fall short in many situations, and for those impacted by suicide in any way, this rings exceptionally true. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to spread information and awareness about how to help ourselves and those around us who may be struggling with suicidal ideation. Importantly, this month brings […]
CW: Suicidal ideation, Suicide It can be challenging to reach out for help, especially in times of distress. Some people find it easier to deal with issues alone, even when the situation becomes dangerous for their own safety. That’s why having a suicide safety plan on hand can help people in times of crisis. September […]
CW: Binge eating, self-harm, addiction. Most people deal with stress throughout their lives. Learning to cope with stress in healthy ways can make people more resilient and help combat chronic illness and mental health issues according to the CDC. However, not all coping mechanisms are healthy. Negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, compulsive spending, […]
CW: Suicide My Grandma and Grandpa have been two of the most important people in my life since the moment I was born. For just over 19 years, I never had to imagine life without either of them, until last November, when my Grandpa passed away. This was a gut-wrenching few months for my family […]
CW: Suicidal thoughts. Happy Pride Month, everybody! I don’t know about you, but I’m proud to still be alive. My name is Fe, and I’m nonbinary. I use this term because it’s the most well-known, but really my gender is pretty complicated. Genderqueer or bigender are probably most accurate to my identity; although, honestly, sometimes […]
CW: Suicidal thoughts. I’m just going to say it…life is hard, and sometimes I want to die. Sometimes I feel a rush of unbearable sadness take over me. It turns out I’m not alone. To get through some statistics quickly — from 2000 to 2018, there was a 36% increase in suicide rates, according to […]
It’s that time of year again, folks! We’re looking for bloggers to join the 2022 Fall/Winter You Matter Blogger Council. The deadline to apply is November 1st, 2022. You Matter has always been a space for youth, by youth, to share stories and make your voices heard. If you’re between 13-25 and are passionate about […]
Content Warning: Suicidal Thoughts If you’ve ever frequented the hallways of a middle school or high school, it’s likely that you’ve heard lots of things. Snippets of conversation, gossip, and news of all sorts. But recently, I found myself walking down the hallway and overheard a statement that was alarming to me. The student had […]