On our last day of Suicide Prevention Week, we would like to remind us all that, as we take action to support others, it is also vital that we take the time to support and care for ourselves.
The Importance of Building Resiliency. Practicing self-care is one part of building resilience and does not mean you are being selfish or choosing yourself over your loved one. It means that you are simply being mindful of your own needs, so you are better able to support others. You are better able to take care of the needs of others when you take care of yourself.
Self-care can be as simple as taking a deep breath when you notice you are becoming stressed. By maintaining your physical and mental wellness, you will likely be better equipped to handle the stressors that come along with supporting someone you care about.
Self-Care Strategies to Build Resiliency and Manage Stress.
When we are most stressed, we have a tendency to ignore taking care of ourselves, so it is important to set time to care for ourselves in big and little ways.
- Remain socially connected. When you are supporting someone else, it can be easy to lose sight of your other social connections. Stay in touch with your family and friends who can offer support. Recognize the importance of setting time with positive support networks.
- Make time for yourself. When caring for someone who may be suicidal, it can be hard to find time to take care of yourself. However, to be a productive caregiver, it is important to have some “me time.” Healthy activities that makes you feel better is worth a little bit of time out of your day.
- Know when you need to ask for help. When caring for someone with suicidal thoughts, it is possible to become overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed does not make you a bad caregiver, family member, or friend, it makes you human. There are various resources for caregivers such as NAMI Family Support Groups. These groups offer support for people with loved ones who have experienced mental health conditions or issues. In addition, you can talk to trained counselors who provide free and confidential support by contacting one of the below 24/7 hotlines:
- StarVista Crisis Hotline (San Mateo County) – 650-579-0350
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line – Text “Home” to 741741
To learn more about Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity and Equity September Suicide Prevention Month, resources and for a full list of events, visit www.smchealth.org/SuicidePrevention.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to these 24/7 crisis hotlines: StarVista Crisis Hotline (San Mateo County) – 650-579-0350, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and/or Crisis Text Line – Text “Home” to 741741.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health or substance use services and you have MediCal, Health Plan San Mateo (HPSM), or are uninsured, please contact BHRS ACCESS at (806) 686- 0101 or TDD at (800) 943- 2833. If you have private insurance please reach out to your insurance company and request support.
#BetheOneSMC #ImHereForYou
Resources:
https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resiliencehttps://www.eachmindmatters.org/spw2019/ (see Self Care Resources section)
在防止自殺週的最後一天，我們想提醒一下大家，當我們採取行動支持對方的同時，我們亦要花些時間來支持和照顧自己。
自我關懷的重要性。實踐自我關懷不等於你是自私自利，或是你選擇自己多於你心愛的人。你只是純粹地注意到自己的需要，所以你能夠更有效地支持他人。當你照顧好自己，你便能夠更有效地照顧他人的需要。
自我關懷可以很簡單，當你注意到自己受到壓力時，可以作一個深呼吸幫助舒緩。當你保持身心健康，你可以裝備得更好地處理壓力因素，以及去支持你關心的人。
管理壓力的自我關懷策略
當我們最緊張的時候，我們傾向於忽視照顧自己， 因此，花時間以大大小小的方式照顧自己是很重要的。
- 保持社交聯繫。當你支持別人時，很容易忽視自己的其他社交關係。跟可以提供支持的家人和朋友保持聯絡。定期與積極支持自己的人際網絡聯繫，這點大家需要清楚其重要性。
- 為自己騰出時間。在照顧可能有自殺傾向的人時，很難找到時間照顧好自己。然而，要成為一名有成效的照顧者，要有一些「我的時間」是很重要的。任何讓你感覺更好的東西都值得你花點時間。
- 知道什麼時候需要尋求幫助。在照顧有自殺念頭的人時，有可能變得不堪重負。感到不堪重負不會使你成為一個糟糕的照顧者，家庭成員或朋友，它會讓你更人性化。坊間有各種給照顧者的資源如美國精神疾病聯盟家庭支援小組。 這些團體為有心理健康狀況或問題的親人提供支持。除此之外，你可以通過聯繫以下全天候24小時熱線之一與訓練有素的輔導員交談，他們提供免費和保密的支持：
- StarVista 緊急熱線 (聖馬刁縣) – 650-579-0350
- 全國預防自殺生命線 – 1-800-273-8255
- 緊急短訊平台 – 發短訊「Home」至741741
如欲了解更多有關九月防止自殺月和預防自殺的資訊，請瀏覽www.smchealth.org/SuicidPrevention.
資源:
https://www.eachmindmatters.org/spw2019/ (請看自我關懷資源部份)