One Person…Two Losses | Understanding and Preventing Suicide with Lisa Sugarman

If you have ever experienced the death of a family member, especially due to suicide, then join us for a talk with Lisa Sugarman. Lisa shares how she coped with the grief and loss of her father, not once but twice. She tells her story, offers some suicide prevention tips, and gives you some valuable resources you can use if you are in crisis.

Intro

Who is Lisa Sugarman? She is a Boston-based columnist, author, Crisis Counselor and public speaker for organizations like The Trevor Project and National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Lisa tells her story and describes her emotional experiences at 10 years old when her father died, and as an adult when she discovered he died by suicide.

Suicide discussion

What are some of the signs that someone could be considering suicide as an option to stop their pain?

1. Depression

2. Low Self-Esteem

3. Negative Self-Talk

4. Lack of Meaning or Purpose in Life

5. Sudden Changes in Mood

6. Sudden Changes in Behavior

What can we do recognize or help people who could be considering suicide?

1. Actively watch and listen to people around you

2. Check in and ask people questions

3. Give people time and space to express their feelings

4. Provide a safe space for them

5. Allow vulnerability

6. Be part of a community who will care for people

7. Talk about your thoughts

Understand that most people don’t want to die….they just want their pain to end

There is a lot of pain in the world right now. Look at the situation in the Middle East and listen to Andrew Gold’s YouTube Channel (Israel Explained video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMa__98pAa8&t=5s

Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable

Resources

a. Website Tour http://www.lisasugarman.com

b. The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org

c. National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org/Home

d. Lisa’s YouTube channel Suicide Survivor Series (full playlist)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLugByhVm06jXI7MmI1ZlZEetxlr_Btvun

Social Media Links:

YouTube channel: youtube.com/@thelisasugarman

Facebook.com/TheLisaSugarman

Twitter.com/thelisasugarman

Instagram.com/lisa_sugarman

Linkedin.com/in/lisa-sugarman-16925b69