Contributed commentary by Phyllis Viltz, a licensed senior psychological examiner:

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Tennessee. It affects all ages, cultures, races, genders and socioeconomic levels. Many people have been touched by the devastating consequences of suicide. It quite possibly has affected you or your family. With rising rates of suicide and serious mental health issues, we can no longer sit back and think that someone’s suicide will not eventually affect us personally, and possibly devastatingly so.

The month of September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. This is an opportunity to shed light on the subject of suicide and to send a clear, hopeful message that suicide can be prevented with timely intervention. You can make a critical difference by knowing the risks and warning signs and by being willing to plunge into those sometimes difficult and frightening conversations with those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s call to duty. You can join the fight by arming yourself with the knowledge of what research reveals about what we as individuals and as a community can do.

You can assist others by knowing where to find help; you can join a group focused on suicide prevention and/or mental health; you can join like-minded people to raise awareness by joining one of the several Out of Darkness walks in Middle Tennessee this fall; you can advocate for support for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; you can educate your legislators about mental health policies that will make a much needed difference; you can join the fight to reduce stigma by having open conversations about mental health, mental health treatment and suicide prevention; you can change a life by reaching out to someone who may be in distress, linking them to resources and letting them know that there is help and hope.

If you are someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide, know that, although you may feel alone, you are not alone.

Call a trusted friend, family member, teacher, physician or clergy and let them know how what you are thinking. Seek help through one of our many local behavioral health agencies. Call or text the 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 for immediate help. Above all, remember that there is help and hope available.

Below are a few good resources to learn about mental health and suicide prevention and how you can join in the fight against needless suffering and deaths:

Phyllis Viltz