When Moments Matter

Most of us will never be called upon to run into a burning building or respond to a major disaster. We don’t often think of ourselves as potential heroes. Yet September offers two opportunities to protect and even save lives — simply by being prepared.

National Preparedness Month – Natural disasters and extreme weather can strike without warning — floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and more. National Preparedness Month reminds us to take time now to plan for emergencies that could affect our families and communities. Even small steps — like conducting an annual home safety check — can make the difference in an emergency.

Steps to prepare:

• Know your risks: Identify the most common disasters in your area. Conduct an audit of
  risks in your home.
• Create an emergency kit: Include essentials like water, food, medications, a flashlight, and
  first-aid supplies.
• Plan for evacuation: Establish routes and identify a family meeting place in case you’re separated.
• Protect vital information: Store copies of IDs, insurance policies, vital documents, and important contacts in a secure digital location.
• Learn lifesaving skills: Consider taking a CPR course and building a home first-aid kit.

Helpful resources:

• Ready.gov: Guides for disaster planning and response.
• Grist Disaster 101: Free downloadable guide to extreme weather preparation and recovery.
• FEMA and Red Cross Apps: Provide local alerts and step-by-step safety instructions.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – September also shines a light on another lifesaving topic: suicide prevention. First and foremost, if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This free, confidential resource is available 24/7 across the U.S. and Canada, and it’s also there for friends and family seeking support.

Raising awareness can save lives. Suicide is a highly stigmatized issue, but awareness and open conversation are powerful tools for prevention. By knowing the signs and where to turn for help, we can all play a role in saving lives. Warning signs may include:

• Expressions of distress: Talking about wanting to die, feeling trapped, hopeless, or like a burden.
• Behavior changes: Withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in activities, extreme mood swings, or increased substance use.
• Planning behaviors: Researching ways to die, giving away possessions, writing a will, or saying goodbyes.

Helpful resources:

• 988: The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Suicide Prevention Month

September Training Picks

Learn new skills for work and for home by choosing from thousands of training topics. Here are a few suggestions or search for your own themes. Simply click on “Member Login” at www.theEAP.com, sign in, and click on the comprehensive training library in the “Training Center.” 

• Workplace Mental Health: Crisis Intervention | Course ID: SVL_1021890
  Learn the definition of a crisis situation, look at indicators that someone may be debating suicide, and become familiar with key intervention steps to keep employees safe in a workplace crisis situation in this 7-minute video.
• NEW! 8 Ways to Develop Adaptability Every Day | Course ID: SVL_1023069
  Get practical guidance on how you can improve how effectively you respond to change in this 5-minute video lesson.
• Emergency Preparedness: Preparation Is Key | Course ID: SVL_1020782
  This 5-minute video lesson helps you learn steps to address any emergency that arises, from noting potential hazards to knowing how to summon help to participating in workplace-specific training.

Upcoming Live Webinar Session

Live Webinar Session: September 25, 12:30 Eastern Time – Understanding Depression

To register for this session, click here: Understanding Depression

Featured September Webinar

Finding Harmony: Being a Parent and a Professional

Being a parent and a working professional requires a delicate balance. This seminar will discuss the realities of the modern working landscape for parents. It will review strategies for time and household management, and how to find quality time just for yourself. To access this Webinar and related resources, simply log in to www.theEAP.com during September. 

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