September is National Suicide Prevention Month-What to Say and Not Say

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. 988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7 for anyone contemplating suicide. This year, the 988 Crisis Lifeline shares the message of ‘Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere.’

This theme reflects the core principles and messaging promoted by the 988 Lifeline and partner organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Vibrant Emotional Health:

· Emphasizing accessibility: The phrases reinforce that help is always available through a simple, three-digit number.

· Reducing stigma: The language is designed to encourage those experiencing emotional distress to seek help by highlighting that support is confidential and non-judgmental.

· Building a better crisis response: The theme of "reimagining crisis response" reflects the broader, long-term goal of improving mental health crisis services nationwide.

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Tara Fink, PMHNP; Janet Hunter, PMHNP; and Angela Taylor, PMHNP; serve all patients of all ages who are having any type of mental health concerns. They encourage the following phrases of what to say to someone who is struggling or contemplating suicide:

· Thanks for opening up to me.

· Do you want to talk about it?

· Is there anything I can do to help you?

· I’m here for you.

· Tell me more.

· Are you getting the care and support you need?

· Can I drive you to an appointment?

· How are you feeling today?

DO NOT SAY….

· It could be worse.

· Just deal with it.

· Everyone feels that way sometimes.

· You may have brought this on yourself.

· You’ve got to pull yourself together.

· Maybe try thinking happier thoughts.

According to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, silence can make people feel even more alone. By starting a conversation, it lets the other person know you care about their well- being, that you are supportive and willing to listen.

More help is available than ever before locally for those suffering from a mental health issue. Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Fink, Hunter and Taylor, are available to see patients at both the Veterans Memorial Hospital Postville and Waukon clinics. To make an appointment to see any of these three providers, in Postville, call 563-864-7221 or in Waukon call 563-568-5530.

In addition, the new Senior Life Solutions program for seniors, that began in early 2026, is also here to help any seniors locally who are struggling. For more information on this new program, please call Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Life Solutions at 568-5560.