September 20, 2024
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of providing support to those in need. Being able to identify mental health emergencies and provide people with resources for mental health care can make a significant difference in saving lives.
This month, we are sharing insights from two ENI Community Liaisons who have completed Mental Health First Aid training: Kim-Lien Tran, Community Liaison for Bayou La Batre and Bianca Moss, Community Liaison for Camp Hill.
Mental Illness and Community Health
As a Community Health Worker, Kim Tran works with people from all walks of life and from diverse backgrounds, including immigrants and refugees. Her professional experience working with people experiencing mental health issues, as well as seeing mental illness impact her own family, inspired her to seek out training for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). The course prepares participants to “identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.”
For Kim, the training was eye-opening and helped her better understand the complexities of mental health.
“I’ve taken the training twice. Both times, it was just like, wow, that’s a lot of information,” Kim shared. “But, it helped me understand why people act the way they do.”
“It’s a lot of really, really valuable information that they give us,” Kim continued. “It’s not just going through mental health for the training itself, but to really know how to talk to people about mental health.”
Kim sees MHFA training as especially important in her own community, where many people still feel stigmatized for mental illness. To help counter the stigma, she has even connected with medical professionals to educate them on how to better provide mental health care.
“In the Asian community, there is often labeling… it’s always ‘that person’s crazy,’ but in reality, they have a mental illness,” Kim shared. “And so a lot of people, they’re afraid to tell their [doctor] everything, so they kind of hide it… but they don’t understand the mental part affects the physical part.”
The Importance of Listening
Bianca Moss echoed the sentiment that awareness and understanding are key in addressing mental health issues.
“I’ve always been the person that people call when they need advice,” Bianca shared. “I’ve always been the person talking people off the ledge and I didn’t even realize that I was that person until [MHFA].”
For Bianca, MHFA was about learning to be the person that someone can talk to if they are in crisis.
“Mental Health First Aid is about being able to recognize the signs of someone who is struggling,” she explained. Her work with youth has reinforced a simple yet profound truth: “Listen.” In Bianca’s experience, this simple act of compassion can be a lifeline for someone in crisis.
Like Kim, she also believes fighting the stigma of mental health is important for community health. And, as someone who works with young people, she noted how many youth people feel afraid to reach out and ask for help.
“People automatically assume that if you need therapy, you’re crazy. But at some point in life, everybody needs someone to talk to.”
Starting with Self
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, Mental Health First Aid shared a few things we can all do to practice self-compassion, an important practice in promoting positive mental health. We encourage you to try some of these ideas for yourself and to share them with your friends and colleagues:
• Acknowledge your feelings: When you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a moment to recognize your emotions without judgment. It’s OK to feel this way, and it’s a natural part of being human.
• Speak kindly to yourself: Notice your inner dialogue and replace self-critical thoughts with affirming and supportive ones. For instance, instead of thinking, “I’m not doing enough,” try, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
• Take mindful breaks: Set aside time each day for activities that help you recharge and center yourself. Whether that means taking a short walk, deep breathing, or a few moments of quiet reflection, these breaks can help reduce stress and boost your resilience.
• Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to others when you need help. Just as you support those around you, allow yourself the same privilege. Talking with a trusted friend, mentor or counselor can provide valuable perspective and comfort.1
- Mental Health First Aid. (2024, September 19). Essential resources for suicide prevention. E-newsletter.
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