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Introduction
Welcome to September! For a lot of you, this means back to school, which we here at BIRH know can be a stressful time. For those of you in the northern hemisphere, it means autumn… which means winter is coming… which is depressing whether you live here or in Westeros.
After our lighthearted break in August, we're going to buckle down and get serious again. Let's start with some dates:
Sept 10: World Suicide Prevention Day
Sept 8-14: National Suicide Prevention Week (USA)
September: National Suicide Prevention Month (USA)
Accordingly, we're having our own Suicide Awareness Month here at BIRH. Instead of offering specific prompts, we're leaving this month's theme a bit more open-ended. We encourage you to submit writing and art relating to suicide in whatever way you're comfortable with - whether you feel ready to talk about your own struggles, you want to share your experience with a loved one who committed suicide, or you just want to express some thoughts on the topic.
Submissions
Remember that if you're not comfortable with having your name attached to your work, you can submit anonymously through BIRHindTheScenes. Note the account with your submission, provide a description if you want, and the BIRH team will post it completely anonymously for you.
Also, if you tag me (akrasiel) in your deviation or contact me with a link to your submission, you just might wind up in a group feature at the end of the month.
That's all from me! I'm going to pass the reins off now to the lovely and knowledgeable LiliWrites to give you more detailed info about suicide prevention.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
"Suicide prevention" sounds kind of scary doesn't it? When people think about this topic, they tend to imagine saving people from jumping off bridges or overdosing on sleeping pills. But the reality of suicide prevention is often not so glamorous. It really comes down to being aware and available to those who may need someone to talk to, or even somewhere to go for their mental health issues.
Some statistics to think about (infographic courtesy of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
This graphic provides quite a few insights into possible "causes" of suicide. In particular, the fact that 90% of suicides are committed by those with diagnosable psychiatric conditions is worrisome. It points to the underlying fact that most suicides would be preventable with proper psychiatric care.
But what does that mean to you, the average DeviantArt user? How does someone browsing the net help save one of the 111 people who commits suicide every day in the United States alone?
Well, it starts with knowing the common signs of someone at risk for attempting suicide. A generic list includes:
Reaching out to people the individual has no contacted in a long time
Expression of extreme sadness and loss of motivation
Change in mood, appearance, or demeanor -- this can be sudden or gradual
Expression of thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Expression of getting affairs in order
Often those who attempt suicide give off plenty of warning signs. Being mindful of what those signs may be is the first line of prevention and most certainly CAN save a life. But what do you do if you notice one of more of these signs from a friend or family member? How do you broach the taboo and uncomfortable subject?
My best advice came from my good friend Ashley, who trained me when I was learning to be a suicide hotline volunteer just after high school. She said that honesty, compassion, and empathy will work in almost every case. People considering suicide often do so because they feel trapped and alone. Even one person making sure that they feel noticed, cared for, and understood can make all the difference.
If you have a friend who seems to be unhappy, withdrawn, moody, or just down in the dumps, take your concern to that person. Don't wait for your friend to come to you because they may not. Schedule a coffee date or movie night with your friend. Create a safe, private place to have a conversation. Then bring up the subject in a way that shows that you are trying to be a good friend and are concerned for their safety. Some key phrases I've picked up over the years are:
"I am here for you, no matter what. Do you need to talk about anything?"
"I've noticed you seem kind of down lately. Can you tell me what's going on?"
"Are you okay? I love you and want you to be happy. How can I help?"
Make sure that if you manage to get a response from your friend that you are actively listening and paying attention to body language. People suffering mental health issues are often embarrassed by them and may not open up immediately. Creating a safe, comforting space for your friend and making sure he or she knows that you are only concerned with their safety and well-being is of utmost importance.
Avoid statements that may be misconstrued as judgmental or unsympathetic. In particular, avoid trying to relate your own experience to your friend's. As much as sharing our stories connects us, it can make someone who is suffering a sadness so extreme they're considering suicide feel invalidated and misunderstood. There is absolutely nothing you have gone through that can realistically compare to what your friend is feeling because you are not the one considering suicide (I hope). And even if you have been in the position of considering suicide at one point, your experience was different and should not be compared. Our pains are as unique as our personalities, and they need to be respected. If your friend does open a dialogue, wait for him or her to ask if you've ever felt that way and how you got through it before volunteering the information. This will help your friend be more receptive to what you're saying because he or she is actually seeking the information.
But what if you can't get your friend to talk to you? What if your attempts at starting a conversation result in your friend withdrawing further? At this point, I would recruit allies to the cause. Talk to your friends parents, siblings, significant others, and other friends. Find out if anyone else is noticing the behaviors you are and if they've had any success in getting your friend to open up. Talking about mental issues is very difficult for everyone involved, but it is the first step in getting through the pain and into the healing. Enlisting help from other people who you know care for and would be supportive of someone going through a mental illness is always a good idea. The more people expressing their concern and love, the less likely it is that your friend will attempt suicide.
So, at the end of the day, suicide prevention looks like two friends crying on the couch spilling their guts to each other. It's not easy or pretty, and certainly not glamorous. But it is worth it.
Some resources for those who want to learn more or who need to get help:
1-800-273-8255 -- American National Suicide Prevention Life Line -- Call and Chat for those considering suicide
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention -- Advocacy and Education
Suicide Prevention Resource Center -- Localized Resources
To Write Love On Her Arms -- Suicide and Mental Illness Support
Remember. If you suspect that someone is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others, call your local authorities immediately. It's better to make the call and be wrong, than to hold off and be right.
Miscellaneous
PoetryOD has created an amazing resource called The Geek's Guide to Lit Groups. It's an index of every active lit group on dA with the attributes of each (contains poetry or prose, offers prompts, etc.) so deviants can find the exact groups to suit their needs. There's a whopping 568 groups listed, so go take a look and give PoetryOD your eternal gratitude for her incredibly hard work.
Welcome to September! For a lot of you, this means back to school, which we here at BIRH know can be a stressful time. For those of you in the northern hemisphere, it means autumn… which means winter is coming… which is depressing whether you live here or in Westeros.
After our lighthearted break in August, we're going to buckle down and get serious again. Let's start with some dates:
Sept 10: World Suicide Prevention Day
Sept 8-14: National Suicide Prevention Week (USA)
September: National Suicide Prevention Month (USA)
Accordingly, we're having our own Suicide Awareness Month here at BIRH. Instead of offering specific prompts, we're leaving this month's theme a bit more open-ended. We encourage you to submit writing and art relating to suicide in whatever way you're comfortable with - whether you feel ready to talk about your own struggles, you want to share your experience with a loved one who committed suicide, or you just want to express some thoughts on the topic.
Submissions
Remember that if you're not comfortable with having your name attached to your work, you can submit anonymously through BIRHindTheScenes. Note the account with your submission, provide a description if you want, and the BIRH team will post it completely anonymously for you.
Also, if you tag me (akrasiel) in your deviation or contact me with a link to your submission, you just might wind up in a group feature at the end of the month.
That's all from me! I'm going to pass the reins off now to the lovely and knowledgeable LiliWrites to give you more detailed info about suicide prevention.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
"Suicide prevention" sounds kind of scary doesn't it? When people think about this topic, they tend to imagine saving people from jumping off bridges or overdosing on sleeping pills. But the reality of suicide prevention is often not so glamorous. It really comes down to being aware and available to those who may need someone to talk to, or even somewhere to go for their mental health issues.
Some statistics to think about (infographic courtesy of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
This graphic provides quite a few insights into possible "causes" of suicide. In particular, the fact that 90% of suicides are committed by those with diagnosable psychiatric conditions is worrisome. It points to the underlying fact that most suicides would be preventable with proper psychiatric care.
But what does that mean to you, the average DeviantArt user? How does someone browsing the net help save one of the 111 people who commits suicide every day in the United States alone?
Well, it starts with knowing the common signs of someone at risk for attempting suicide. A generic list includes:
Reaching out to people the individual has no contacted in a long time
Expression of extreme sadness and loss of motivation
Change in mood, appearance, or demeanor -- this can be sudden or gradual
Expression of thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Expression of getting affairs in order
Often those who attempt suicide give off plenty of warning signs. Being mindful of what those signs may be is the first line of prevention and most certainly CAN save a life. But what do you do if you notice one of more of these signs from a friend or family member? How do you broach the taboo and uncomfortable subject?
My best advice came from my good friend Ashley, who trained me when I was learning to be a suicide hotline volunteer just after high school. She said that honesty, compassion, and empathy will work in almost every case. People considering suicide often do so because they feel trapped and alone. Even one person making sure that they feel noticed, cared for, and understood can make all the difference.
If you have a friend who seems to be unhappy, withdrawn, moody, or just down in the dumps, take your concern to that person. Don't wait for your friend to come to you because they may not. Schedule a coffee date or movie night with your friend. Create a safe, private place to have a conversation. Then bring up the subject in a way that shows that you are trying to be a good friend and are concerned for their safety. Some key phrases I've picked up over the years are:
"I am here for you, no matter what. Do you need to talk about anything?"
"I've noticed you seem kind of down lately. Can you tell me what's going on?"
"Are you okay? I love you and want you to be happy. How can I help?"
Make sure that if you manage to get a response from your friend that you are actively listening and paying attention to body language. People suffering mental health issues are often embarrassed by them and may not open up immediately. Creating a safe, comforting space for your friend and making sure he or she knows that you are only concerned with their safety and well-being is of utmost importance.
Avoid statements that may be misconstrued as judgmental or unsympathetic. In particular, avoid trying to relate your own experience to your friend's. As much as sharing our stories connects us, it can make someone who is suffering a sadness so extreme they're considering suicide feel invalidated and misunderstood. There is absolutely nothing you have gone through that can realistically compare to what your friend is feeling because you are not the one considering suicide (I hope). And even if you have been in the position of considering suicide at one point, your experience was different and should not be compared. Our pains are as unique as our personalities, and they need to be respected. If your friend does open a dialogue, wait for him or her to ask if you've ever felt that way and how you got through it before volunteering the information. This will help your friend be more receptive to what you're saying because he or she is actually seeking the information.
But what if you can't get your friend to talk to you? What if your attempts at starting a conversation result in your friend withdrawing further? At this point, I would recruit allies to the cause. Talk to your friends parents, siblings, significant others, and other friends. Find out if anyone else is noticing the behaviors you are and if they've had any success in getting your friend to open up. Talking about mental issues is very difficult for everyone involved, but it is the first step in getting through the pain and into the healing. Enlisting help from other people who you know care for and would be supportive of someone going through a mental illness is always a good idea. The more people expressing their concern and love, the less likely it is that your friend will attempt suicide.
So, at the end of the day, suicide prevention looks like two friends crying on the couch spilling their guts to each other. It's not easy or pretty, and certainly not glamorous. But it is worth it.
Some resources for those who want to learn more or who need to get help:
1-800-273-8255 -- American National Suicide Prevention Life Line -- Call and Chat for those considering suicide
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention -- Advocacy and Education
Suicide Prevention Resource Center -- Localized Resources
To Write Love On Her Arms -- Suicide and Mental Illness Support
Remember. If you suspect that someone is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others, call your local authorities immediately. It's better to make the call and be wrong, than to hold off and be right.
Miscellaneous
PoetryOD has created an amazing resource called The Geek's Guide to Lit Groups. It's an index of every active lit group on dA with the attributes of each (contains poetry or prose, offers prompts, etc.) so deviants can find the exact groups to suit their needs. There's a whopping 568 groups listed, so go take a look and give PoetryOD your eternal gratitude for her incredibly hard work.
The Call of the Rift: Crest - LAUNCH DAY!
Launch day is here! Crest, the third book in my alt-historic fantasy series The Call of the Rift, is now officially out. Currently it's available in hardcover and ebook, with the audiobook coming soon (probably in a few weeks. I've heard the final recording and it's amazing!) I'm so proud of this novel and so excited to share it with you all. It takes place in a parallel world from the first two books, so if you haven't read those, this book is the perfect place to jump into the series! “Another captivating entry in an expansive series.” ― Kirkus Reviews Purchase links: ECW Press Amazon Barnes & Noble Indigo My hardcover copies haven't arrived in Australia yet, so I'm celebrating launch day by dressing up* and showing off my digital copy**! *I am extremely proud of wrangling hip-length hair into this **also showing off my cat, Salsa Stark
The Call of the Rift: Crest - COVER REVEAL!
I’m super excited to reveal the cover art for CREST, #3 in the Call of the Rift! 😍 This gorgeous illustration of Kako and Tiernan is by Simon Carr. This book is gonna be wild* and I can’t wait to share it with y’all on May 18th, 2021! *hint: it takes place in a parallel world to the first two books Pre-order links: ECW Press: https://ecwpress.com/collections/fiction/products/crest Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1770414584/ Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-call-of-the-rift/9781770414587-item.html Step through the portal into a world ravaged by chaotic spirits and corrupted magic in the third book of The Call of the Rift high fantasy series. Kateiko Rin lives a quiet life with her parents and her people in the coastal rainforest. Everything changes when her estranged uncle washes up on their shores, harried and half-dead, trailed by two blue-eyed children no one knew existed. To protect her family, Kateiko secrets away her young
The Call of the Rift: A Compendium
The Call of the Rift is a YA fantasy series inspired by historic conflicts between Canadian First Nations and European colonists during the Age of Sail. Book #3 Crest is out now! Purchase: Flight: Amazon, ECW Press, Audible Veil: Amazon, ECW Press, Audible Crest: Amazon, ECW Press Follow me: Facebook: Jae Waller, Author Twitter: JaeWalrus Goodreads: Jae Waller Instagram: JaeWalrus NEWS: updated June 19 Crest has been out for a month now, and it's been a strange time – here in Melbourne we spent most of that time in strict COVID lockdown, so I couldn't hold a launch party, yet lots of exciting book-related things have been happening anyway! I did an interview on CBC Radio with a journalist from my hometown, talking about lilacs: the colonial history of them, how iconic they've become in that part of Canada, and how I wrote them into Crest. Take a listen in the June 10th episode on Daybreak North; the segment starts at 54:30 and my interview starts at 59:07. The audiobook is up on
#AuthorsForFireys Charity Auction
Australia is burning. Bushfire season began here in November, and it's gotten worse in the past couple weeks. So far it's 6x larger than the Amazon rainforest fires, and we've lost:
23 peoplehalf a billion animals, including 8000+ koalas and potentially whole species5.5+ million hectares (an area larger than the Netherlands)
1400+ homesHere in Melbourne, smoke has blanketed the city at least three times now (I've lost count.) I can taste it in the air; it's so thick that fire alarms are going off. Out in the bush, volunteer firefighters are working day and night in shocking and dangerous conditions.
But in the darkness, there is light. :love
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This is an excellent journal so thank you for that and for mentioning the list.