988: A Critically Important Tool in the Quest for Mental Health Help | Praise Podcast

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s discuss a vital tool in the fight for mental health. Tune in! 🎧

#bible #faith #positivity #inspiration #motivation #motivational #inspirational #MentalHealth #mentalhealthawareness #MoMo634 #988 #crisis

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00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 September is Suicide Prevention Month.

00:00:04 --> 00:00:08 Let's discuss a vital tool in the fight for mental health.

00:00:09 --> 00:00:09 Tune in.

00:00:09 --> 00:00:13 Hello,

00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 and welcome to MOMO 634,

00:00:15 --> 00:00:21 the daily podcast chock-full of faith-filled inspiration and motivation.

00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 Please like, share, and subscribe.

00:00:24 --> 00:00:25 Momo 634.

00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 Motivational moments just for today.

00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 As I mentioned in last week's episode,

00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 Global Mental Health by the Numbers,

00:00:50 --> 00:00:50 linked below.

00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 September is Suicide Prevention Month.

00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 Therefore, this episode deals with that topic.

00:00:59 --> 00:01:04 Please consider this a content warning for anyone who may find

00:01:04 --> 00:01:05 the topic triggering.

00:01:07 --> 00:01:12 In light of some terrible and tragic recent events in the news,

00:01:13 --> 00:01:17 my heart has been hurting over the plight of those who struggle

00:01:17 --> 00:01:18 with mental health

00:01:18 --> 00:01:18 issues.

00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 During my 61 years of life,

00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 as someone with a neurologically-based mental health condition

00:01:28 --> 00:01:29 and as the parent of

00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 children with mental health concerns,

00:01:32 --> 00:01:37 we must do better with the number of services available and

00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 creating better and

00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 more nuanced pathways to services.

00:01:43 --> 00:01:48 Most of all, we need to humanize rather than demonize.

00:01:49 --> 00:01:56 Last year, over 49 people in the United States died by suicide.

00:01:57 --> 00:02:02 That averages out to one every 11 minutes.

00:02:03 --> 00:02:09 Behind every number is a name, a story, a soul.

00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 Suicide is now the 11th leading cause of death,

00:02:15 --> 00:02:20 and for young people aged 10 to 34,

00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 it's the second leading cause of death.

00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 These aren't just statistics.

00:02:27 --> 00:02:31 These are lives, precious souls needing help.

00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 Yet, the stigma is great.

00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 I read a quote recently that said,

00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 people are uncomfortable talking about mental health when

00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 someone reaches out with

00:02:45 --> 00:02:45 their struggles.

00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 But when the unthinkable happens,

00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 we blame them for not reaching out sooner.

00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 However, there is help.

00:02:56 --> 00:03:02 The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24-7.

00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 for anyone facing mental health challenges,

00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 not just those contemplating suicide.

00:03:13 --> 00:03:14 I'll say it again.

00:03:14 --> 00:03:21 It's available 24-7 for anyone with mental health challenges,

00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 not just those contemplating suicide.

00:03:28 --> 00:03:29 In Rochester,

00:03:29 --> 00:03:29 New York,

00:03:30 --> 00:03:35 nearly 20 counseling sessions were offered last year through calls,

00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 texts,

00:03:36 --> 00:03:37 and chat.

00:03:39 --> 00:03:44 That equals 20 moments where someone chose to reach out

00:03:44 --> 00:03:45 rather than more

00:03:45 --> 00:03:50 draconian and potentially irreversible damage.

00:03:51 --> 00:03:55 What's telling is that many of those reaching out were young people,

00:03:56 --> 00:04:00 teens who felt safer texting than talking.

00:04:01 --> 00:04:06 We must do a better job of discussing underserved populations

00:04:06 --> 00:04:06 also,

00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 such as men.

00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 In 2023,

00:04:10 --> 00:04:15 male suicide rates were four times higher than female rates,

00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 not because men are weaker,

00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 but because they've been taught

00:04:20 --> 00:04:25 to stay silent, and fed the lie that emotions are for the weak.

00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 As discussed in previous episodes,

00:04:29 --> 00:04:34 God provides a way of release through the processing of emotions.

00:04:35 --> 00:04:40 Asking for help is not a personal weakness nor a failure.

00:04:42 --> 00:04:46 If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.

00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 And if you're a person of faith, pray.

00:04:52 --> 00:04:53 Pray for the counselors.

00:04:54 --> 00:04:55 Pray for the callers.

00:04:56 --> 00:05:00 Pray for the courage to reach out and for the grace to accept help.

00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 God sees our pain and our sorrow.

00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 This world is broken and has hardships,

00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 but as we discussed in our Monday night family Bible study,

00:05:13 --> 00:05:19 he also provides a record of those struggles in Hebrews 11 and

00:05:19 --> 00:05:19 tells us we have

00:05:19 --> 00:05:23 encouragement through their stories at the beginning of chapter 12.

00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 In his wisdom in creating the church,

00:05:28 --> 00:05:32 he provides us with wonderful people to help us along the journey.

00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 For those listening who are struggling with anxiety,

00:05:37 --> 00:05:38 depression,

00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 addiction,

00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 or simply feeling overwhelmed,

00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 and for those who care for them,

00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 there is help,

00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 there is hope,

00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 and there is healing.

00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 Reach out to a family member,

00:05:52 --> 00:05:52 friend,

00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 someone through your faith-based community,

00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 a support group,

00:05:58 --> 00:05:58 or 988.

00:06:01 --> 00:06:05 Help is just a phone call away.

00:06:08 --> 00:06:14 Thanks for listening to Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

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