September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this is a conversation that hits especially close to the work we do at Attuned Dad™.
Men are disproportionately impacted by suicide. While the numbers tell us how serious the issue is, behind every statistic is a person, a dad, son, brother, husband, partner, friend, nephew, uncle, coworker, or someone we love.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to show substantially higher suicide rates among men than women (CDC link)
For many men, asking for help still isn't easy.
Some of us grew up learning to keep things to ourselves.
Be strong.
Keep working.
Don't complain.
Figure it out.
For others, silence has been passed down through generations. Trauma, culture, stigma, and expectations about what it means to be a man can make saying “I'm not doing okay” incredibly difficult.
We can help change that.
Check In
Suicide prevention doesn't only happen in a therapist's office or during a crisis.
Sometimes it starts with being intentional.
Send the text.
Make the call.
Grab some food together.
Go work out.
Take a walk.
Sit down and actually ask, “How are you doing?”
And if something doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to ask again.
You don't need to have the perfect words or know how to solve someone's problems. Sometimes being present and helping someone connect with support can make a meaningful difference.
At Attuned Dad, suicide prevention and safety are important to us. We know that conversations about suicide aren't always easy, but we also know how important it is to create space for them.
September may be ending, but this conversation shouldn't.
Check in. Say hello. Send the text. Be intentional. Be present.
You never know who may need it.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Support
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
For those in Los Angeles County, the LACDMH 24/7 Help Line is available at 800-854-7771 for mental health support, resources, referrals, crisis assessment, and other behavioral health services. Department of Mental Health- crisis support link
-Be present. Not perfect. Be Attuned.