By Kate Cohen
In consultation with Dr. Ronald Ryan, MD CPE
July 13, 2026
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, the 988 Lifeline is available 24/7 to provide compassionate, judgment-free support.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and the 2nd amongst individuals ages 15 through 34. However, there is still a stigma around mental health and suicide prevention.
Now more than ever, it’s critical to understand the importance of early support and open conversations with people who are struggling, even if they seem to be okay.
At Rosen Medical Center, we’re committed to whole-person wellness, caring for our patients’ mental health as well as their physical health.
Let’s dive into an important discussion of mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and how we can support friends and loved ones in a time of need.
Key Takeaways
- Recognizing the Warning Signs of Emotional Distress
- Prioritizing Your Own Mental Health
- The Importance of Strong Social Connections
- How to Support Someone Who May Be Struggling
- The Role of Primary Care in Mental Health Support
- When to Seek Professional Support
- Start the Conversation
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Emotional Distress
The first way to help someone who is struggling with their mental health is to recognize any warning signs.
Some common behavioral, emotional, and physical warning signs of suicide include:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling consistently sad
- Problems concentrating or learning
- Extreme mood swings, going from high to low
- Frequent irritability or anger
- Difficulties relating to other people
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Overuse of substances like drugs and alcohol
You can find a more thorough list of mental health red flags here.
If you believe someone is struggling with their mental health or considering suicide, don’t wait to bring it up. Assume you are the only one who is going to talk to them about it.
Early recognition can literally save someone’s life.
Prioritizing Your Own Mental Health
As important as it is to support the people welove, it’s also crucial to take care of our own mental health.
Self-care for mental health starts with a daily routine rooted in wellness.
Prioritizing sleep, a well-balanced diet, and moving your body can all help improve your mental health.
Make time to include stress management practices throughout your day, too.
This could be writing in a journal, taking a 5-minute break to practice mindful breathing, a quick guided meditation, or taking a short walk outside.
If you notice yourself starting to feel any of the mental health red flags listed above, it’s time to reach out for help.
Ask a friend, family member, your doctor, or call 988 Lifeline for help navigating your thoughts and feelings.
The Importance of Strong Social Connections
Social connection and mental health are closely related. One of the best things you can do for your mental wellness is staying connected to friends, family, and community.
Social isolation negatively impacts both mental and physical health, leading to everything from depression to heart disease.
That’s why we need to surround ourselves with community support.
There’s nothing wrong with taking time to yourself. However, spending too much time alone can increase feelings of sadness and worthlessness.
Social media can make us feel “social” as we engage with other people around the world, but these interactions often don’t lead to quality relationships.
Of course, social media can also lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially when comparing yourself to what you see of other people’s lives.
Reducing loneliness can come from social efforts like joining a local hobby group, volunteering in your community, or staying connected with a video call to a loved one.
How to Support Someone Who May Be Struggling
If you notice someone you love who might be struggling with their mental health, it’s time to start a conversation.
While it may seem awkward at first, you can begin by asking them how they’re feeling. Let them know you’ve noticed they haven’t seemed like themself lately. Ask them if there’s anything they’d like to talk about.
One of the most important things you can do is listen without judgment. You don’t need to solve their problems; you just need to be a good listener and let them talk.
Maybe recommend they reach out for professional help with a therapist and make sure they have the 988 Lifeline mental health crisis helpline as an easy resource.
Mental health conversations aren’t easy, but they’re very important. Offering to listen may be the start to saving a life.
The Role of Primary Care in Mental Health Support
Another great mental health resource is your primary care provider.
These health experts can help you identify concerns with mental health screenings and refer you to the proper specialists.
You can bring up your concerns at a regular checkup or request a wellness appointment to address your mental health.
Rosen Medical Center offers personalized and confidential care to ensure that every patient has what they need to live a healthy, balanced life.
We also offer onsite mental health counseling by The Next Step Counseling Center, LLC, with therapists that can help you navigate your unique needs and concerns.
Make an appointment with your primary care provider to see what mental health resources are available to you as a patient of Rosen Medical Center.
When to Seek Professional Support
Friends and family are wonderful resources when it comes to opening up about mental health.
But sometimes, the right thing to do is seek professional mental health care.
A licensed therapist can help patients navigate hard situations and feelings with professionalism, confidentiality, and experience.
Psychiatrists can evaluate and diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication to help a patient manage symptoms.
It may be time to try mental health support like therapy when emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges start to interfere with your daily life.
Although you don’t need to be in distress to talk to a therapist, many people find routine therapy to be a beneficial part of their wellness routine, even when they’re feeling stable.
Start the Conversation
No one has to navigate mental health challenges alone.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, or you know someone who is, know that there is always someone to talk to.
Whether you feel more comfortable talking to friends, family, or your healthcare provider, start the conversation.
Schedule your wellness appointment with your Rosen Medical Center healthcare provider today.
