Suicide Prevention Month – IBEW Local 1186 Series

Day 2 –

💜🩵 He showed up. He laughed. He said he was tired. So everyone figured he was okay.

That’s the thing about struggling. Sometimes it doesn’t look the way we think it will.

Especially here in Hawaii, where “Howzit?” can get an automatic “good, good” before we even think about the answer … or a “sup!” can get you a shaka and a smile that you just brush off as the person being good. 🤙🏽

Someone can work beside you all day, talk story at lunch, even go for pau hana drinks, then go home to their family and still be carrying something or a LOT of things that nobody knows about.

You don’t need to diagnose them…that’s the part. People think you need to fix or have a solution when you have a friend in distress. You don’t need the perfect words.

Just notice when something feels different.

And instead of stopping at, “Howzit, you good?”

Ask again.

“No, really. You okay?”

Then give them enough time to answer.

Tomorrow, we turn that question around.

What happens when the person saying “I’m good” is you?

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:

Hawaiʻi CARES provides local crisis support 24/7: 808-832-3100
You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.