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“Are you ok?” can save a life

A psychologist says there needs to be less of a stigma when someone asks for emotional help.

Chandra Grabill with the College of Veterinarian Medicine at Michigan State University tells Brownfield sometimes there’s a fear of people who are struggling with mental health problems that they will be perceived as being weak.  “While it can be very frightening to think about people who are struggling—or even if we’re struggling ourselves—it can be difficult to ask for help.” She says, “It’s a very normal process and actually a sign of strength when people reach out for help.”

Grabill works with veterinarians, who are in one of the top professions at risk of suicide, and says if someone is concerned about a friend or family member, stopping and asking them how they are doing may be enough to save a life.  “There’s a lot of research out there indicating that people who are suicidal are more likely to not commit suicide if somebody stops and asks them, ‘Are you ok? Are you thinking about suicide?’”

She says the national suicide prevention hotline 1-800-273-TALK is available 24/7 for people having suicidal thoughts or for people who are concerned about someone else.

AUDIO: Interview with Chandra Grabill