This May and Mental Health Awareness Month, the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention partners with Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health to offer any Berkshire county resident the opportunity to participate in RISE, Kripaluâs Signature Evidence-Based Resilience Training.
Anchored in the science and practice of mindfulness and positive psychology, RISE teaches participants to recognize the physiological symptoms of stress as they arise and how to respond with intention rather than reaction; shifting the conversation around stress from being inherently bad to understanding how to leverage stress into moments of creativity and meaning.
Adults ages 25 and up can participate May 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Ages 14-25 9 a.m. to noon on May 22. Register at berkshirecoalition.org/kripalu.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7): 800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Berkshire County, warmline (non-crisis): 413-445-1136
Information for parents
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: tinyurl.com/3hnb3u4k
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: tinyurl.com/9wtnwjwp
To make an effort to help, experts say, people should begin by asking youths how they are doing, and those conversations can normalize talking about feelings of stress and sadness. Also, schools, pediatricians and mental health providers are collaborating to ensure that families can access the resources they need.
If someone opens up about their feelings, a good first step is to offer validation and appreciation, as well as referrals to possible sources of support, Heim said.