Telling Your Story

www.ZeroAttempts.org

ZERO
ATTEMPTS
One Million & Counting
when IN CRISIS
cALL 800-273-8255 or
text "sos" to 741741

Break the Silence: Share your story

The Curry County Suicide Awareness and Prevention Council appreciates your willingness to share your experience of suicide loss. We are interested in what the loss experience was like for you and how it has impacted you both personally and professionally. We are especially interested in what you found helpful or not helpful. Please limit your story to 500 words or less, 300 words or less for a Letter to the Editor.

If you are writing about the of a loss of someone in Curry County, please disguise any details and identifying information that might allow for their recognition.

With your permission, we would like to potentially use your story on this web page. The decision to have your name on your story is up to you. Please let us know what your preference is.

The following questions are areas you might consider in writing about your experience. Please write what has most affected you, and what has been most and least helpful. Send you story to gordonclay@aol.com

  • What was your initial response to losing your neighbor/friend/colleague/client/celebrity/family member to death by suicide?
  • What was most helpful to you at the time of the suicide?
  • What was least helpful?
  • How did the experience impact you personally? How did the experience impact you professionally (professional identity and relationships with colleagues, etc.)?
  • What was most/least helpful to you in the weeks and months after the suicide?
  • What has been most/least helpful to you in your healing?
  • What would have been helpful to you at the time of the loss?
  • What have you learned from this experience?
  • What do you hope to offer others since you've experienced this loss?

Please send your story to gordonclay@aol.com

How to Safely Share Your Story

1. Make sure you're ready to talk about your mental health story. If you don't want to talk about your mental health experience or journey, you don't have to. The choice is completely up to you.

2. You may use this platform to share publicly, or to keep your stories private for yourself. If you decide to share your experience publicly, your story will be available on the web site for anyone logged in to see.

3. Define your key message. Think about what you would like the audience to know about your story. We want to hear your authentic voice, but we also want to offer an inspiring message of hope to those hearing your personal experience.

4, Educate your network. People may see or hear your story and reach out for help. Remember, there are many resources to direct them to. If you feel they are in crisis, recommend Crisis Text Line, a free 24/7 confidential crisis intervention service via SMS. Text SOS to 741741 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.

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