WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – As September comes to a close this week, mental health professionals in West Lafayette are acknowledging the month as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Suicide Prevention Month can draw attention to just how many people struggle with mental health and suicidal thoughts.
Dr. Ayodeji Ogunleye, also known to patients as Dr. O, is a psychiatrist at River Bend Hospital that treats patients with a variety of mental health struggles. He encourages his patients to seek help just as much as they would for physical ailments.
River Bend Hospital is behavioral hospital in West Lafayette.(WLFI)
“You have diabetes, you go see an endocrinologist, you have hypertension, you see a cardiologist if needed for things like that. So, people are like ‘Maybe this is the same thing.’ Thankfully we have people, advocates doing all of that for psychiatry, and I think that has played a huge role in creating awareness,” said Dr. O.
Dr. O says while there is no single fix for mental health, there are coping mechanisms that can help you.
“When you’re anxious, when you feel that ‘Okay, I’m losing control’, mindfulness might help, grounding might help. When your case is getting moderate or severe, then you need professional help. If you have a primary care doctor, talk to them. If you have a psychiatrist or mental health, talk to them,” said Dr. O.
If you or a loved one is struggling, you can call the 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline for help.
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