Preventing Suicide By Talking About Suicide | World Suicide Prevention Day Episode 270, September 10, 2022
Real Men Feel is about reminding men that they are human and entitled to feel and express the full range of emotions. Some of those emotions can you have feeling like absolute shit, but that never means that you are shit.
If you’ve read any of my books, seen me speak live, listened to many Real Men Feel episodes, perhaps heard me as a guest on other shows, or even know me as an actual, physical, human being, you are aware that I don’t hide the fact that I’ve tried to end my life multiple times.
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, and I don’t make a big thing about this day because, frankly, it pisses me off. Every day should be suicide prevention day for all of us. But I get that plenty of people still experience a stigma around any discussions of mental health or suicide. And I have long believed that one of the best ways to prevent suicide is to talk about it. So I shall.
Men account for three-quarters of deaths by suicide in many countries. While the pathway to suicide for each individual is unique, some common risk factors have been shown to contribute to the higher suicide rate among men. These risk factors include using more lethal means, reduced help-seeking, harmful substance use, social disconnection, conformity to some masculine norms, and stressful life events such as unemployment and relationship breakdown.
The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day this year is “Creating hope through action.” My talking to you right now is an action. You listening right now is an action. You checking with a dear friend and asking, “how are you, really?” is an action.
Working with a therapist, a coach, or a men’s group is a positive action you might take. By the way, those are all things I’ve been doing this summer.
I invite you to show support for those struggling with suicidal attempts or ideation and to remember loved ones who died of suicide.
Links
Check out the ManKind Project – https://mankindproject.org/
International Association for Suicide Prevention – https://www.iasp.info/
Book a call with Andy → https://theandygrant.com/talk
Grab the Real Men Feel Guide to Friendship for a list of places you can meet more male friends and get on the Real Men Feel weekly newsletter.
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