Each of us has the ability to help end the public health crisis of suicide and self-injuries. Since 1999, when the national suicide prevention advocacy effort began, as well as in Massachusetts, we’ve learned that “suicide prevention is everyone’s business." We all can take simple steps to recognize someone in crisis and connect them to help in our community, in our families, in our workplace, in our faith communities, in our schools and colleges. Each of us can take action in our local community. Here are some basic steps you and your family and friends can take: • Meet with your elected city/town and state legislative leaders and advocate for their support in statewide suicide prevention efforts. • The Massachusetts Department of Public Health offers a number of educational and training sessions for community members from all walks of life and for mental health caregivers. Our best strategy for decreasing the number of suicides in our community, is to train as many individuals as possible in how to recognize someone in crisis and to connect them to help. • You can write Op Ed and personal stories about the impact of suicide and self-injury in your community. Personal stories help to put a human face to suicide. • Talking about suicide does not put the idea in someone’s mind, even youth. • Join the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention and learn more successful strategies for how you can be a life saving advocate. • Even a couple of hours every month can make a difference in someone’s life. If you’d like to be one of the hundreds of advocates in Massachusetts working to strengthen families and communities against the tragedy of suicide, mental health problems, and self-violence, please join with us. You can go to our “Join Us” section of this website to join our Coalition. If you’re already taking action in your community or workplace or elder center, etc., let us know what you’re doing. Simply go to our “Circle of Life” section on our website. You will be able to share your efforts, programs, and strategies with others who can learn from your hard work. Remember: preventing suicide and self-injury is all about connecting people, ideas, and resources. If you need help or you’d like to discuss becoming an advocate, you can also email info@MassPreventsSuicide.org