Changing the Narrative on Mental Health and Suicide presented by Deborah Cavitt, MS - MACMH

Date & Time: Recording Available for Purchase | Expires on November 7th, 2025 | 2 CEHs

Price:  $30

Description of Presentation:

Talking about mental health and suicide can be an uncomfortable and uncertain topic that brings up different feelings, beliefs, and attitudes. This session empowers individuals to begin conversations and change perceptions toward hope, resilience, and a more supportive narrative around mental health.

Throughout the session, participants will engage in dialog about being intentional in the words we are using. Certain ways of talking about mental health and suicide can alienate members of any community, sensationalize the issue, contribute to a decrease in help-seeking behavior, or even present suicide as a glamorous, preferred way of dealing with problems.

Having healthy conversations about mental health and suicide avoids harmful messages that might increase suicide risk in individuals or undermine suicide prevention goals. By doing this safely, it reduces stigma, mitigates risks, promotes help-seeking, and respects all individuals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Promote language that respects the dignity of individuals and emphasizes compassion, including using terms that reduce stigma and foster open, supportive conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
2. Recognize the signs for people at risk and how to respond when you identify someone who is in distress or suicidal.
3. Empower individuals to begin conversations and change perceptions toward hope, resilience, and a more supportive narrative around mental health.