Suicide Prevention Awareness
Aspirus Health and 988 Lifeline Stress the Power of Checking In
9/4/2025
Shelly Missall, 988 Wisconsin Lifeline Outreach Coordinator & Heidi Pritzl, LCSW, Aspirus Suicide Prevention Coordinator
September is Suicide
Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and
connect people to life-saving resources. Communities across the country will
also observe Suicide Prevention Week (September 7–13) and World Suicide
Prevention Day (September 10).
Heidi Pritzl, LCSW,
Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Aspirus Health, says awareness starts with
recognizing the warning signs.
“Some of the key
signs of suicidal ideation include loneliness, feeling like a burden,
withdrawing from friends or activities, or noticeable changes in sleep and
appetite,” Pritzl explained. “There are also subtle signs, such as someone
appearing calm after a period of distress. The most important step is to check
in; ask if they’re okay and show you care.”
Pritzl also
encourages people to pause and take a breath before having these conversations.
“Talking about
suicide can feel overwhelming,” she said. “Check in with yourself first, then
approach the individual with empathy. You might say, ‘I noticed you haven’t
joined us for dinner lately, and I’m concerned about you.’ That combination of
compassion and observation can open the door to help.”
Health care
providers also play a critical role. “I call our providers the first
responders,” Pritzl added. “From primary care to emergency rooms and specialty
care, they are trained to identify warning signs, assess suicide risk, and
connect individuals to the right resources and safety plans.”
Community support is
equally important. “We can all model wellness at home, at work, and in
schools,” said Pritzl. “When leaders and parents openly share how they care for
their own mental health, it helps normalize these conversations and reduce
stigma.”
One of the most
important tools available is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Shelly
Missall, Outreach Coordinator with the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline, says the
resource is designed to be accessible, confidential, and judgment-free.
“988 is a national
network of call centers, and in Wisconsin, we have one center that answers
every call from the state,” Missall said. “When someone dials 988, they’ll
speak with a trained counselor who listens, provides support, and connects them
to resources. It’s not just for suicide crises. People call about stress,
relationship issues, bullying, financial concerns, and more.”
Missall emphasizes
that the line is available 24/7, free of charge, and anonymous. “Everybody’s
crisis is personal, and we’re here to talk no matter what the situation is,”
she said.
Aspirus Health
encourages everyone to learn the warning signs, check in on loved ones, and use
available resources. For immediate support, call or text 988. For ongoing care
and resources, connect with your Aspirus provider.
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