Kindness isn’t just nice - It Can Prevent Suicide Kindness can help prevent suicide, a leading cause of death in the United States. In 2021, 48,183 Americans Died by Suicide, and things have only gotten worse. However, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a random act of kindness could prevent suicide. For example, simply smiling at someone could make a difference and prevent something as tragic as suicide.
A recent study has found that kindness has a positive impact on your brain's physiology. Rebecca Glathar, an executive from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, points out that individuals struggling with mental illness often experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. Therefore, acts of kindness from others can have a powerful effect on them.
"There have been studies showing that something as simple as a smile can change the mindset of someone considering suicide," she says. Kindness is known to instill hope and positivity in both the recipients and the givers. "Individuals who are teaching, sharing their stories, and supporting others who are struggling," she explains, "all say, 'I do this not only to help the other person but also because it helps me feel better about myself.'"
Suicide was among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States in 2020.
According to NAMI, a random act of kindness could prevent suicide. Simply smiling at a person could prevent something as tragic as suicide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Rebecca Glathar, an executive at the National Alliance on Mental Illness, says that people battling mental illness are often isolated and feel alone or misunderstood, and that kindness from another person can be very powerful.
"There have been studies that have shown that something as simple as a smile has changed the mind of an individual who is considering taking their own life by suicide," she says.
Volunteers at NAMI are proof that giving can be as valuable as receiving. Kindness is known to instill hope and positivity within the lives of its recipients as well as those performing the acts of kindness. Checking in with people who live alone, especially around the holidays, is crucial, as loneliness and isolation are breeding grounds for depression that could lead to suicidal thoughts.
Kindness and empathy toward others not only benefit those we reach out to but also provide those who initiate kind actions with positive feelings and a sense of well-being. Moreover, kindness can contribute to better physical and mental health for those who help others. In short, kindness is a win-win for everyone.
In an article for Psychology Today, Lindsay Weisner, Psy.D., wrote about the Fundamental Attribution Bias, which suggests that we tend to interpret other people's words and actions as reflections of their character rather than considering the circumstances they might be facing. Conversely, we anticipate others to evaluate us based on our life circumstances, even though they are often unaware of them. It's important to give others the benefit of the doubt and lean towards kindness. Doing so can alleviate the burden and loneliness that someone else may be experiencing.
A study of American Indian/Alaska Native people explored how self-compassion is a protective factor related to perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. The results from this study indicate that the positive aspects of self-compassion, in particular, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness of one’s thoughts and feelings, were significantly and inversely related to and predictive of feelings of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness.
Did you know that water has memory? In the 1990s, the late Dr. Masaru Emoto conducted experiments examining the natural effects of words, prayers, music, and the environment on water's crystalline structure. Dr. Emoto found that when kind, loving words were conveyed to the water, they formed a complete crystal structure, compared to energies involving hate and anger. As the human body is 70 percent water, Emoto's studies suggest that kindness has a real impact on our immediate health.
I am genuinely concerned about people's well-being, and I believe it is always beneficial to be aware of resources that may be available if they are ever needed. With that in mind, I would like to share a few mental health resources and support available to help others. Sadly, every year, over 700,000 people die by suicide.
That equates to one death every 40 seconds. Suicide ranks as the 17th leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 1.3% of all deaths. However, by sharing positive mental health resources, we can make a difference and offer support to those in need.
If this is a medical emergency or if there is immediate danger of harm, call 911.
Let the operator know that you are calling about a mental health emergency
[Follow These Tips](https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Calling-911-and-Talking-with-Police) to ensure the police arrive prepared to respond appropriately.
If you're going through a mental health crisis, reach out to 988. The 988 Lifeline offers round-the-clock, free, and confidential support for people in distress. They provide resources for prevention and crisis management for you and your loved ones, as well as guidance for professionals.
Trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to offer free and confidential support throughout the United States.
1 - For the Veterans Crisis Line
2 - For the Spanish Language Line
3 - For LGBTQI+ Support
(Access to 240+ languages through Tele-Interpreters)
Studies show that callers feel less suicidal and more hopeful after contacting the 988 Lifeline.
More Information - Click Here
New Suicide and Crisis Number, 988, Now Live
988 Fact Sheet
988 FAQs
Lifeline assists people in immediate crisis with a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to the problems they are experiencing and will connect them to local mental health services. All calls are confidential and free.
Connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor / Free 24/7 support at your fingertips from anywhere in the United States.
A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
― Ian MacLaren
With this information at hand, you may just save a life. Please be kind to everyone
#kindness 
Images created with Dal-e, Midjourney, Canva and samhsa.gov