RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH

This resource page is designed for your website, beginningof.life, to provide clear and supportive information on mental health and suicide awareness. It includes key warning signs, ways to help someone at risk, and a comprehensive list of resources, particularly tailored for those in early life stages like pregnancy and new parenthood.

Warning Signs and How to Help

Mental health challenges can be serious, and recognizing warning signs of suicide is vital. Common signs include talking about death, feeling hopeless, increased substance use, or withdrawing from others. If you notice these, you can help by asking directly if they’re thinking about suicide, being there for them, keeping them safe, connecting them to support, and following up. These steps can make a big difference.

Resources

Here are key resources for support:

  • Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 988lifeline.org.
  • For pregnant or new parents, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is at 1-833-852-6262.
  • Visit nami.org for strategies on managing mental health during pregnancy.

Statistics and Additional Info

In 2022, over 49,000 people died by suicide in the U.S., with men more than three times likely to die by suicide than women. Each year, 500,000 pregnant women experience mental health conditions, but 75% don’t get treatment. For immediate help, call 988 or 911 in emergencies.

Background and Importance

Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, particularly during life transitions such as pregnancy and early parenthood. Suicide is a major public health concern, with significant impacts on families and communities. In 2022, over 49,000 people died by suicide in the U.S., highlighting the urgency of awareness and prevention efforts. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) emphasizes that suicide is often preventable, with research focusing on identifying at-risk individuals and evaluating prevention programs in various settings, including healthcare, community, schools, and justice systems.

This includes specific considerations for perinatal mental health, recognizing that 500,000 pregnant women annually experience mental health conditions, with 75% not receiving treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

This underscores the need for targeted support during these vulnerable periods.

Warning Signs of Suicide

Recognizing warning signs is crucial for early intervention. The American Psychiatric Association outlines several indicators, including:

  • Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide.
  • Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless.
  • Expressions such as “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out.”
  • Increased alcohol and/or drug use.
  • Withdrawal from friends, family, and community.
  • Reckless behavior or engaging in more risky activities without thinking.
  • Dramatic mood changes.
  • Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others.

These signs are supported by the Psychiatry.org page, which notes that suicide is linked to mental disorders, particularly depression and alcohol use disorders, with a previous suicide attempt being the strongest risk factor.

How to Help Someone at Risk

Supporting someone at risk involves practical steps to ensure their safety and connection to help. The American Psychiatric Association recommends:

  1. Ask: Directly ask if they are thinking about suicide, as this does not increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
  2. Be There: Offer support in person or by phone to show you care.
  3. Keep Them Safe: Reduce access to lethal means, such as firearms or medications, especially for those at immediate risk.
  4. Help Them Connect: Assist in finding ongoing support, such as contacting a mental health professional or crisis line.
  5. Follow Up: Continue to check in via calls, visits, texts, or emails to demonstrate ongoing presence.

These steps align with the CDC’s emphasis on strategies with the best available evidence to reduce suicide, including connecting with trained crisis counselors via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Mental Health Resources for New Parents and During Pregnancy

Specific resources for perinatal mental health are included. NAMI provides practical strategies for managing conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, and bipolar disorder, with the NAMI HelpLine available Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET (call 800-950-6264, text “NAMI” to 62640, or email) nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/. Additional resources include:

  • Postpartum Support International, offering a helpline at 1-800-944-4773 and online support groups postpartum.net.
  • Poppy Seed Health, an on-demand app for 24/7 emotional support for birthing people, including those experiencing pregnancy loss poppyseedhealth.com.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, available in Spanish, is a self-assessment tool for new parents, signaling the need for further evaluation if positive.

Statistics and Prevalence

Statistics highlight the scale of the issue:

  • In 2022, over 49,000 people died by suicide, with men more than three times more likely than women, and firearms used in about half of all cases .
  • Each year, 500,000 pregnant women experience mental health conditions, but 75% do not receive treatment, with adverse childhood experiences increasing risk, especially in low-income women .
  • 1 in 10 men experience postpartum depression, emphasizing the need for inclusive support .

Additional Information and Advocacy

For immediate crises, call or text 988, or 1-833-852-6262 for maternal mental health support, and 911 or visit the ER in life-threatening situations. Further reading is available at psychiatry.org/patients-families/suicide-prevention, cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html, and nami.org/your-journey/maternal-new-parent-mental-health/mental-health-for-new-parents/.