ASK about suicide

NAMI wants you to ASK about suicide. Recent data show a 25-30 percent increase in the number of suicides occurring throughout the SW Washington region over the previous years. In observance of National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in September, NAMI SW WA developed a positive, community-based program asking individuals to make a pledge to ASK about suicide.

Their ASK campaign invites individuals of all ages in the community to begin paying attention to one another. The campaign asks individuals to take the following pledge:

Ask:

• Ask a direct question about suicide when I am concerned about someone;

• Ask for help when I feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or suicidal.

Support:

• Offer or seek non-judgmental support.

Kindness:

• Be kind to myself and others; Lift Up Life!

This campaign is designed to encourage individuals to look out and care for others, as well as, to reach out and ASK for help and support when they personally feel overwhelmed by life circumstances.

ASK events are:

• Cowlitz County: Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 7-8:30 p.m., at The Grove Alliance Church, 2116 E. Kessler Blvd., Longview.

• Clark County: Wednesday, September 12, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Clark County Council Chamber (6th floor) Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver.

• Skamania County: Saturday, September 15, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the Hegewald Center, 710 SW Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson.

• Wahkiakum County: To be determined.

Their goal is to have 5,000 individuals commit to the ASK pledge. Consider inviting volunteers from NAMI SW WA to show people how to take the ASK pledge. To reserve dates and times contact Heidi Bjurstrom (heidi.b@namiswwa.org or 360-695-2823).