September is Suicide Prevention Month

Lucy’s mother knows “crisis can come at any time.” Her daughter’s suicidal thoughts weigh heavily on her mind. But she also knows that the staff at the David Farber ASPIRE Center is there to get them both through it.

The David Farber ASPIRE Center is Jefferson’s premier suicide prevention facility—a unique outpatient treatment center that focuses on clinical service, innovative research, and high-quality education for the next generation of therapists.

While September is Suicide Prevention Month, Matthew Wintersteen, PhD, director of the Center, says it’s important to raise awareness about suicide prevention throughout the year.

“There’s a stigma around suicide—many people who’ve been impacted by it are afraid to talk about it,” he says. “If they have thoughts of suicide, they feel ashamed and don’t want to share that with other people.”

Some of the goals of the Center are to impart information about suicide, raise awareness to remove the stigma, and provide much-needed resources to find treatment and promote healing. The Center not only provides care for individuals who may be suicidal, but support for their loved ones, too.

“We recognize it’s not as simple as somebody in the family feeling suicidal. Everybody else must be okay, too, and that’s often not the case, so we are here for them, as well,” Wintersteen says.

For Lucy’s mother, it has been a life saver.

“There is no way I would be okay—and there’s no way my daughter would be where she is—without the David Farber ASPIRE Center,” she says.

Wintersteen says there are seven steps to take if you believe a loved one is struggling and having suicidal thoughts:

1. First and foremost, ask if they’re okay. Even if you don’t know what to say, just asking how they are doing might get them to open up. And if you continue to be concerned, it’s fine to ask if they’re having thoughts of suicide; data shows that asking the question does not make someone suicidal.
2. Understand that they might not discuss their feelings right away. Often, when someone is asked if they are okay, they’ll say “I’m fine.” When that occurs, let them know why you are worried; talk about what you have been noticing that is causing concern.
3. Listen. If they start sharing their struggles, it’s important to be quiet, to listen, to not be judgmental. Don’t ever tell somebody, “Hey, everything’s going to be okay” because to someone having a hard time it feels like you’re minimizing their experience.
4. Echo what they’re saying to you. Make sure you are hearing them correctly. Repeat back what they are saying and ask: “Do I have it right? Am I understanding you correctly?” It helps to validate their experience.
5. Remind the person they are not alone. Let them know that sharing their thoughts means they are no longer struggling in silence.
6. Assure them that help exists, even if previous attempts at treatment have failed. There are people who have been living with suicidal thoughts and engaging in suicidal behaviors for years and feel like nothing can help them. Make sure they know that there are different treatments that could work for them.
7. Help them get the support they need. Whether it’s through contacting the David Farber ASPIRE Center or calling 988 (the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), reach out for help and support—make sure they get connected to proper services.

For more information about the David Farber ASPIRE Center, or to make an appointment, visit the website, or call 215-503-7077.

The David Farber ASPIRE Center will host an Open House on December 5, please visit the event registration page to learn more.

Follow the David Farber ASPIRE Center on Instagram @davidfarberaspirecenter and Facebook at facebook.com/davidfarberaspirecenter