HJAR Jul/Aug 2019

preventable and that mental illnesses are treatable. Emphasize that the vast majority of people who face adversity, mental ill- ness, and other challenges—even those in high-risk groups—do not die by suicide, but instead find support, treatment, or other ways to cope. Source: NationalActionAlliance for Suicide Prevention By talking about suicide in an informed way, we can play a role in promoting pre- vention efforts and saving lives. Together we can change the local and national narratives about suicide and suicide prevention to those that promote hope, connectedness, social support, resilience, treatment, and recovery. Mental Health as Mental Wellness As recently as 20 years ago, some people MENTAL HEALTH did not say the word cancer, as if doing so would cause a death sentence. We have since learned that many people live fulfilling lives despite cancer. The same is true for men- tal health. It was once believed that people withmental illness could not lead productive lives. We now know that are many people with mental health issues who lead mean- ingful lives. Sound mental health and mental illness are not polar opposites. Instead, they are points on a continuum. Sound mental health is something we strive for daily. It includes emotional balance, the capacity to live fully, and the flexibility to deal with life’s inevitable challenges. It is important in terms of personal well-being, family and friend- ships, and contributing to society. When others realize that mental health issues are not the result of moral failing or limited will power, but are legitimate illnesses that are responsive to specific treatments, much of the stigma will dissipate. With an empathetic approach to understanding and addressing mental health, perhaps we can reframe it as mental wellness. n Bruce Trimble, MA, APR, is the director of business development for The BridgeWay Hospital, a psychi- atric facility for children, adolescents, and adults in North Little Rock. An avid mental health advocate, Trimble was appointed by the governor of Arkansas to the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Council in 2015 and served as co-chair from2015 to 2017. In 2018,he was instrumental in establishing the call center for the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Hotline.