September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month--we can use this as a time to share resources and stories in order to shed light on this stigmatized topic. We can also use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is always important to ensure that individuals have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention. Together we can learn more about effective suicide prevention.

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicide is also one of the leading causes of preventable death in our nation. Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide. This tragedy often leaves behind friends and family trying to navigate life afterwards. Friends and families affected by a suicide loss also can be called, suicide loss survivors. Often times their feelings of shame and stigma regarding suicide prevents them from being able to talk openly.

• We can take 5 steps to help save lives, 1) Learn The Signs 2) Know How To Help 3) Practice Self Care 4) Reach Out 5) Spread The Word

Here is a link with each step along with more details. https://www.take5tosavelives.org/take-5-steps

• The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's collective announces that for this month we can all use the hashtag, #BeThere and #SPM20 on Twitter to educate the public about the many ways to support those who are struggling.

• We can share resources that promote healing for those who are in recovery after a suicide attempt, attached is a PDF doc of a resource guide that helps people through the steps towards recovery. It also includes personal stories from survivors and strategies used for recovery after a suicide attempt. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/A-Journey-Toward-Health-and-Hope-Your-Handbook-for-Recovery-After-a-Suicide-Attempt/SMA15-4419.

• We can also encourage help-seeking by spreading the word about these crisis services…

1) The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free, confidential, 24/7 support by phone [1-800-273-TALK (8255)]

2) Crisis Text Line provides free, confidential, 24/7 support by text [text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S.]

Importance of Biomedical Research

Biomedical research is an area of science that looks for ways to prevent and treat diseases that cause illnesses and death in humans and animals. Biomedical researchers utilize biotechnology techniques to study biological processes and diseases with the ultimate goal being developing a cure or a treatment for these diseases. Biomedical research has allowed the development of new drugs, vaccines or procedure to prevent and treat diseases. Regarding mental illnesses, biological mechanisms of psychopathology can be better understood by the general public therefore reduces stigma towards individuals who suffer from mental illnesses. The biomedical model of mental illness is that mental illnesses are brain diseases and individuals can be given a pharmacological treatment for the biological abnormalities. This model leaves out the framework for the social, psychological and behavioral dimensions of mental illness.