September was Suicide Prevention Month and Canopy's staff participated in Suicide Prevention work throughout the month.
Our LGBTQ+ Care Coordinator, Faye Seidler, is a suicide prevention advocate outside of her work at Canopy. Last month she was the rainbow bead representative at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Walk in Fargo-Moorhead.
Canopy Medical Clinic was also at this event, sharing the services we offer with mental, physical, and sexual health. All work that improves someone's quality of life is a protective factor that can help prevent suicide.
A message from Faye:
Hi! Suicide as a topic can be scary to some people or the work of suicide prevention might feel heavy. Yet, the work is about hope. It is about inspiring opportunity, giving folks resources, and something to believe in.
Life can be hard for so many people and so many of us hold a multitude of struggles. The basics folks need to know is it is OK to talk about suicide. The more we have open conversations, the less there is that struggle and stigma for folks who experience it.
And the resources and help for folks has never been better. The number to call is 988. It's easy to remember, it's easy to talk about, and it saves lives. The people who answer it care, they want to help you, and they know more about resources in this state than anyone else.
As much as I see the struggles in this state, which are vast, I see communities and families
supporting each other. I see found families forming and people who sacrifice their time and energy to bring help and hope in ways they never had to. When you look for it, there is hope and a way to believe in people and the future. I do.
For more resources on Suicide Prevention and Education, check out Harbor Health Initiative's Resource Page:
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