EDUCATION: Increasing Awareness Suicide Risks and Warning Signs
Toolkit Sections
“We fear what we don’t understand. We hate to be afraid. We avoid what makes us uncomfortable.”
– Sally Spencer-Thomas
Education and Awareness are necessary but not sufficient elements to stemming the tide of suicide. Because mental disorders and suicide issues are often hidden, education and awareness helps people fill in the gaps they would otherwise fill with stereotypes and unfounded fears. Education and awareness are important first steps in a comprehensive suicide prevention campaign, but they cannot be the only efforts or change will not occur. Like many other health issues – tobacco use, drug abuse, seatbelt safety, drunk driving – information alone is not enough for some; the other components of the comprehensive plan are also critical for sustained improvement.
That said, there are several tools on the following pages that will be useful in raising awareness in your workplace community (requires Acrobat Reader):
