On an individual scale, suicide awareness and prevention can be an overwhelming task, but when we talk about suicide and mental health stigma surrounding those topics breaks, and opportunities to reduce these preventable tragedies open. 

But, how do we get the word out there in a big way? 

In 2017, The National Suicide Prevention + Action Month Proclamation Project (N.S.P.A.M.P.) was born. With the pursuit of taking suicide awareness and prevention out of individual spaces and into a much larger realm, the proclamation reinforced the month of September as National Suicide Prevention + Action Month in the United City of Yorkville. 

From this moment, a movement was created and has continued to grow. But what does it mean for communities and their people?

To break it down simply, the N.S.P.A.M.P. has three goals:

1. To recognize that suicide is an issue.

2. To raise the visibility of available suicide prevention resources.

3. To encourage others to be available to those around them by learning how to discuss suicide without increasing the risk of harm.

Though these three goals look straightforward, the act of talking about our mental health in a community-wide capacity can 

Bev Schwartz, the Assistant Director of Public Policy at Hope For the Day, works with municipalities, counties, cities, towns, and even entire states to get the word out about suicide prevention.

“It is such an easy first-step that communities can take to start having the conversation about mental health and suicide with their community members, and even with themselves,” Schwartz said. 

Since its conception in 2017, the N.S.P.A.M.P. has been rapidly growing across the country. Through the N.S.P.A.M.P., Hope for the Day has helped start conversations about mental health and suicide prevention in over 400 different cities, 40 counties, and 39 different states (and counting!)

“Especially with the impact of the pandemic, many are recognizing that mental health is an issue,” Schwartz mentioned, “The N.S.P.A.M.P. is an easy and free way for community leaders to show their constituents that they see them and that they care.” 

When our communities show us that they care enough to talk about mental health and suicide on such a large scale, it helps us as individuals to recognize how to have those conversations in our own day-to-day lives with those around us. 

Getting involved is easy! Adopting the N.S.P.A.M.P. in your city, town, county, or state verbalizes to your community that you are there for them. Just like the goals of the N.S.P.A.M.P, there are three easy ways to get involved in your community.

1. Get Educated! We would love for you to join us in one of our free, 90-minute education sessions to discuss mental health in your community, stigmas, and how to start the conversation.

2. Adopt the N.S.P.A.M.P. Take this easy first step to show your community that you recognize the importance of and care about their mental health.

3. Co-branded Resource Cards! Let’s combine our marketing with your city’s emblem on our Resource Card that you can display throughout city hall, allowing your community to have access to resources. 

You don’t have to be a community leader or elected official to get involved in spreading the N.S.P.A.M.P. As a community member, you can participate in this community endeavor by contacting your local elected officials to spread the word about the project.

Whether you’re a community member or an elected official, it’s easy to get started with the N.S.P.A.M.P to start the conversation about suicide and mental health. Those interested can head to https://www.hftd.org/nspamp#nspamp-2020 to find more information.
It’s ok not to be ok. If you or a loved one are going through a mental health challenge or would like more information on available resources in your community, please visit Hope For The Day’s Resource Compass.