Talking Saves Lives: September Monthly Mantra

TALKING SAVE LIVES.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Anything we can do to help others talk, not feel alone, and advocate for better mental healthcare we will, can and must do.

This is at our core, our ethos as a company and as people. We started MANTRA because we wanted to build a better world through being in business.  When we looked out where we could do the most good for the most people, looked at what was being neglected, swept under the rug, what impacted us and our families directly - the answer was clear - mental health. People were dying because people weren’t talking. Frankly, that pissed us off.

If nothing else happens from us being in business other than helping facilitate conversations on mental health, conversations that save lives, then we succeeded as MANTRA Labs. Creating tasty nutrition that helps you move more, recover faster and sleep better, well that's a bonus!

talking saves lives

Important resources from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness):

Some key stats from NAMI:

These are only a few of the reasons why it’s important to take part in promoting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Please use these facts and others, including the “It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide” infographics on our website, to encourage discussions with your community through social media or other forms of outreach.

Individual Impact:

  • 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
  • Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.
  • Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
  • 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition - but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Community Impact:

  • Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
    • 4.9% of all adults
    • 11.3% of young adults aged 18-25
    • 18.8% of high school students
    • 45% of LGBTQ youth
  • The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Natives followed by non-Hispanic whites.
  • Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
  • Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
  • Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources.

Please talk - and listen. The conversation may save a life, yours or the person you are talking to. Simple conversations and connections are powerful. Be powerful #mantrafamily.