As 15% of those with PMDD will attempt an act of suicide in their lifetime, suicide prevention is a pillar of our peer support program. Since re-launching in 2017, 61% of those utilizing Peer Support Services reported experiencing suicidal thoughts at the time help was received. It is because of these troubling rates, IAPMD is making the commitment to the Zero Suicide approach to suicide prevention.

WHAT IS ZERO SUICIDE?

The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under care within health and behavioral health systems are preventable. It presents both a bold goal and an aspirational challenge.

For IAPMD, this approach represents a commitment:

• To client safety and
• To the safety and support of peer support staff, who do the demanding work of identifying and supporting suicidal patients

Zero Suicide is based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through the cracks in a sometimes fragmented and distracted health care system. Peer-to-peer support is a vital part of closing the gaps in care for those most at risk.

ZERO SUICIDE & PEER SUPPORT

Peer-to-peer support is an evidence-based practice that:

• Promotes crucial protective factors such as connectedness and hope
• Promotes recovery and resilience
• Promotes choice and voice in treatment
• Challenges negative stereotypes

Peer support is an essential part of getting to zero suicide and Is NOT just an “add-on” to clinical services. IAPMD is seeking to incorporate peer support throughout systems of care, and freely accessible in the PMDD community.

RAISING AWARENESS

As September is both Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, IAPMD will be raising awareness across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the goals of:

• Communicating associations between the menstrual cycle and suicidality
• Providing clear paths to crisis intervention and peer support services
• Educating patients, providers, and caregivers on the identification of those at risk for suicide

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

A single person can be the intervention between life and death for another. Whether you are a person in need of intervention or in the position to help another, there are many ways you can help bring the number of suicides to zero.

• Learn all you can about PMDD and suicide to help those in need
• Reach out to our peer support team or Facebook support group when in need
• Make a donation to ensure experienced peer support is available to all
• Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date on IAPMD's commitment to Zero Suicide
• Become a Peer Support Provider by completing IAPMD's peer support provider training
• Learn more about the role of peer support in reaching Zero Suicide

GET HELP NOW

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