TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — It’s a tragedy that can touch every family. Mental health workers and local leaders are marking National Suicide Prevention Month with ceremonies and services they hope will help and heal those who need it most.
Through various events and resources, Team of Mercy is working hard to spread awareness about suicide this month. All month long, this team shares the importance of not only awareness, but also signs and symptoms.
Christina Crist lost a daughter to suicide. Now she fights to make sure no one else loses a loved one. One sign to look for in potential suicide victims is withdrawing from friends and family.
“What we’re looking for is weeks at a time. Maybe months at a time. Where you see somebody’s personality change. The person that you know is no longer there, and it could be from a loss of something. right, or something that they didn’t gain, but they were hoping to. A life-altering situation,” said Crist.
Speak to Team of Mercy, seek those resources, and visit their events if you feel alone.
Or pick up a hobby, an activity that gets you moving. One example is physical exercise.
Common Ground CrossFit and yoga partners with Team of Mercy, and owner Luke Nelson says their goal is to form a community of like-minded people who can lift others and hold each other accountable.
“You know, everyone comes in here with different goals, but they’re doing something similar together. They are going through it together, and it just makes it really fun and easy to start doing it,” said Nelson.
Nelson, although trying something new, like a new activity or going to a fitness center, may be intimidating, but the commitment and support given are vital. Both local organizations are providing ongoing services geared toward suicide prevention month.
For information about upcoming Team of Mercy events, visit About Us – Team of Mercy. To learn more about Common Ground’s classes, visit Common Ground CrossFit + Yoga.
