As fitness professionals, we’re at our best when getting others up and moving or promoting physical well-being. Mental health is equally important, but sometimes, mental health challenges can be a silent struggle hidden beneath smiles and behind accomplishments. That’s where your work comes in. You play a pivotal role in supporting the mental health of your community.
As fitness instructors, we have a unique opportunity to not only strengthen bodies but also nurture minds and hearts. Suicide awareness is a crucial part of that mission and why The Mindful Fit Pro is participating in September’s Suicide Prevention Month. Through compassion and spreading awareness of available mental health resources within our communities, we can help support our clients—and ourselves—through even the darkest moments.
Why is suicide awareness important for fitness instructors?
We all entered the fitness industry because we are passionate about helping others live their healthiest lives. And many of us first fell in love with movement because of it’s direct effect on our mental health. I, for one, am so grateful to the teacher who was my first introduction to group fitness because they helped me through a period of my life where I wasn’t sure I could go on. And I don’t mean that lightly. Group fitness, yoga in particular, quite literally saved me. As a fitness instructor, you have the potential to make such an impact in the lives of your students; more than you may ever know.
Of course you know health isn’t just physical. Mental and emotional well-being are also essential components of one’s well-being and fortunately, even staying within our scope of practice, we have the ability to make a difference in these areas. As instructors, we see our clients regularly, sometimes more than their close friends or family do. We become part of their support network, which means we are in a position to notice when something feels off or if someone is struggling.
Signs of mental health challenges can show up in subtle ways: a client who is usually upbeat may become withdrawn or stop coming to class, or they may talk about feeling overwhelmed, trapped, or hopeless. Noticing these signs does not always mean that your client is in crisis but recognizing them is the first step toward making a meaningful difference. Recognizing when a client may be struggling is the first step to opening the door to conversations that highlight hope and the abundance of resources out there to support one’s mental health. I highly recommend getting certified in Mental Health First Aid if you’d like to feel more comfortable initiating these conversations and knowing how to support someone experiencing thoughts of suicide.
It’s important to remember that asking someone directly about their mental health—especially about suicide—won’t put ideas in their head. In fact, it often opens the door for them to talk about what’s weighing on them, creating a safe space for them to be heard. It’s in these moments that mindful listening becomes powerful. We don’t have to worry about saying the “right” thing, our presence and willingness to sit with the ones we care about, even in the difficult moments, says more than words ever could.
How can I support Suicide Prevention Month?
Here are some ways you can promote Suicide Prevention Month this September, or anytime throughout the year:
- Partner with a local or national suicide prevention organization and offer donation-based classes, with proceeds going to suicide prevention efforts.
- Use your social media platforms to share suicide prevention resources, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), Crisis Text Line (741741), and The Trevor Project.
- Organize a Mental Health First Aid course for yourself and your fellow instructors to learn how to recognize and support students who may be struggling.
- Open up a conversation within your studio about the importance of mental health for instructors, emphasizing that it’s okay to ask for help or take a step back when needed.
- Build a list of local mental health professionals or organizations available to your clients. Promote this resource list during classes or in your newsletters.
At The Mindful Fit Pro, we believe that proudly showing our support for Suicide Prevention Month is one more way we can prioritize mental wellness as fitness instructors—not just for our clients, but for ourselves as well. Together, we can raise awareness, offer a helping hand to those who may be unsure where to reach out, and remind each other that even when life feels heavy, we’re walking this path together.
Resources for Suicide Prevention
If someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, it’s essential to seek help as soon as possible. Below are some valuable resources for suicide prevention and mental health support. You may also wish to check out the Resources page The Mindful Fit Pro has created. As a fitness instructor, I encourage you to share these resources with your team and clients during September in support of Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month
Hotlines and Messaging Services
- In an emergency, if you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm or that intends to die by suicide, call 911.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress, including thoughts of suicide.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans and their loved ones can text 838-255 OR dial 988 then press 1 for to get 24/7 confidential crisis support. Responders are real people, many of them veterans, who are specially trained to support veterans. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use the Veterans Crisis Line.
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 800-662-4357 (HELP) or text your zip code to 435-748 (HELP4U) for free, confidential treatment referral and information for individuals and families in need. The helpline is available 24/7, 365-days-a-year and has English and Spanish language options.
- SAMHSA’S Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 800-985-5990 for a 24/7, 365-days-a-year national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
Websites
- The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and houses a database of resources, including fact sheets, presentations and self-help worksheets like the Stanley-Brown Safety Plan.
- The Jason Foundation is dedicated to preventing youth suicide through educational and awareness programs. The website offers information for students, parents and educators/youth workers.
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a guide for talking to a child about a suicide attempt in their family. The guide also provides specific recommendations for holding these discussions with preschoolers, school-age children and teenagers.
- Man Therapy is dedicated to changing the fact that working-aged men (25-54 years old) account for the largest number of suicide deaths in the U.S. It provides resources for men who may be suicidal, including a free “20 Point Head Inspection” to help determine which areas of their mental health may need some extra attention.