Metrocare encourages the community to seek support.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of mental health, recognizing warning signs, and encouraging conversations that can help save lives
Mental health challenges can impact anyone, and barriers to seeking help often include stigma, fear of judgment, concerns about how others may react, or a lack of awareness about available resources and support services. When individuals do not seek help or know where to turn for support, these challenges can worsen and, in some cases, lead to thoughts of suicide or self-harm-related crises. Raising awareness and improving access to care are critical steps in prevention.
Suicide affects individuals, families, workplaces, schools, and communities across the country. It does not discriminate by age, gender, race, ethnicity, income level, or background, and mental health challenges can impact anyone. While every situation is unique, prevention often begins with awareness, connection, and a willingness to reach out. Recognizing the warning signs and checking in on loved ones can make a meaningful difference. Changes in mood, withdrawal from friends and activities, feelings of hopelessness, increased substance use, significant changes in sleep patterns, or talking about being a burden may be signs that someone is struggling and could benefit from support.
Experts encourage community members to take an active role in supporting mental wellness by:
- Checking in regularly with friends, family members, and coworkers
- Listening without judgment
- Encouraging open conversations about mental health
- Learning the warning signs of emotional distress
- Helping connect individuals to professional support and resources when needed.
- Participating in suicide prevention training programs, such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), which helps individuals recognize warning signs, engage in supportive conversations, and connect people to appropriate resources. Metrocare clinicians receive ASIST training, and the program is available to community members who want to strengthen their ability to support others.
Reducing stigma remains one of the most important aspects of suicide prevention. Creating environments where people feel safe discussing their challenges can help ensure they receive support before reaching a crisis point
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month highlights the important role communities play in supporting mental well-being. Every conversation, act of kindness, and effort to understand mental health can help reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and build a stronger and healthier North Texas
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Metrocare Encourages the Community to Seek Support
Metrocare encourages anyone experiencing mental health challenges, or anyone concerned about a loved one, to reach out for support. Mental health services and treatment can help individuals find stability, hope, and a path forward
To learn more about Metrocare’s mental health services for Dallas County residents, get connected HERE. Individuals living outside Dallas County can find their local Mental Health Authority or Behavioral Health Authority through the Texas Health and Human Services directory: Find Your Local Mental Health or Behavioral Health Authority
Experiencing a mental health crisis? Contact the North Texas Behavioral Health Association’s crisis hotline at (866) 260-8000.
About MetrocareMetrocare is the largest provider of mental health, developmental disability and permanent supported housing services in Dallas County serving over 50,800 children, teens and adults annually. For over 59 years, Metrocare has provided a broad array of services from mental health care, primary care, services for veterans and their loved ones, accessible pharmacies, homeless outreach, supportive social services, and crisis intervention. Metrocare provides specialty mental health services to over 13,000 children and teens and has numerous programs for babies, children and adults with disabilities, including Early Childhood Intervention, Flourishing Families, Nurturing Parenting, Supported Employment and two specialty autism clinics in Dallas and DeSoto. To learn more about Metrocare’s programs, visit www.metrocareservices.org.
