Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and as an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, we invited our allies at NAMI Rochester to join us for an educational session with our employee-owners. Our meaningful conversations held so much insight that we wanted to share them with our community, you!
Social Media and Its Impact on Honoring Loved Ones
The addition of social media into our lives have shaped it in many ways, including how we grieve those we have lost. The first and most important thing to understand is that everyone grieves differently. While some might find solace in sharing pictures and stories online with the deceased, others might find the constant reminders triggering. It’s important that if you resonate with the ladder you take a break from social media and surround yourself with things and activities that help heal your grief.
When sharing on social about the deceased, first connect with close family and friends to ensure what you share online is honoring both the person who is gone and those still here with us.
Caring for Colleagues
Caring about the whole person in the workplace means caring about their mental health. It’s easy to give a quick and polite “how are you,” but try using something more engaging like “What’s important in your world today?” or “Are there barriers to being your best today?” These questions open the floor for those struggling to share their experiences and help you better gauge your work around them.
Understanding Coworker Dynamics and How to Best Support Them
Everyone has their own past, which makes them who they are today. When it comes to understanding a colleague’s dynamics, start with a trauma informed lens meaning you recognize that everyone has their own experiences that you might not fully understand, and acknowledge that. If you aren’t sure how you can best support a coworker, ask them, and listen when they tell you.
How to Protect Your Own Peace
Dealing with friends, family members, and colleagues that are struggling can be extremely draining on your own personal mental health so it’s important to check in on yourself and set proper boundaries. Remember that loving from a distance is okay, meaning send a card or a thoughtful text. You do not always need to physically be in someone’s presence to care for them. If a situation arises where you need to be with someone who is mentally draining, try making a plan before you see them. Plan what self-care you will do post meet up, maybe it’s a bubble bath, maybe it’s your favorite snack, or taking a long drive. Whatever that self-care looks like for you, pencil it in your plans before you insert yourself in a tough situation.
Butler/Till and Digital Hyve are committed to continuing learning about these important topics and amplifying the conversation of mental health and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know needs resources, you can find both region-specific and national resources here. Together, with our communities’ experts, we strive to be that advocate for all.
