September is National Suicide Prevention Month, September 10-16 is National Suicide Prevention Week and today, September 10, marks World Suicide Prevention Day.

In observance of this month, it's crucial to extend our compassion to those silently battling with mental health issues. We can take several meaningful steps, such as familiarizing ourselves with the warning signs, championing the importance of seeking help and deepening our understanding of mental health conditions. These actions can make a world of difference.

Reading mental health literature offers invaluable insights from people facing mental health challenges, those who have witnessed it in their loved ones and professionals in the field. Here’s what some of our team is reading this month.

Yvonne, mental health education manager, is reading Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb. This book gives an inside look into psychotherapy through the eyes of a therapist who needed to sort her struggles out with a therapist. It provides an opportunity to learn about ourselves and the actions we may show to hide genuine emotions.

Amy, Thrive education manager, is reading What Happened To You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD. In this novel, Oprah shares a glimpse of her past through vulnerable stories of overcoming trauma and adversity at a young age. Dr. Perry helps readers understand the impact of trauma and adversity and how to welcome healing by asking ourselves, "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?"

Crystal, community support resources manager, has delved into The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest. While mountains are commonly seen as formidable challenges, Brianna explains how they can be conquered through enhanced emotional intelligence, a deeper understanding of our minds and bodies, drawing wisdom from past encounters and believing in our fullest potential to get out of our own way.

If you or someone you know needs mental health resources, visit HereForTexas.com for a searchable database of North Texas providers. This free resource is also available in Spanish at HereForTexas.com/espanol.

You can also call the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line, a free helpline offering assistance in finding providers and resources matching your needs. Call 972-525-8181 Monday–Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is not a crisis line. Se habla español.

To learn more about Grant Halliburton Foundation or to get involved, visit GrantHalliburton.org.

By Yvonne W. Merritt
Mental Health Education Manager
Grant Halliburton Foundation