Anthony Steels: Don’t Be Sidelined By Suicide

And finally here is the seventh post I want to share this week to wrap up Suicide Prevention Awareness Week:

Anthony Steels: Don’t Be Sidelined By Suicide

September 5th, 2014 by  Gabriela Acosta  0 
Filed Under: 100 Voices for Suicide Prevention, Blog Carnival, Mental Health, MSW@USC Blog, Social Work Resources,Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Uncategorized

This post was submitted to the 100 Voices for Suicide Prevention campaign by The Kim Foundation .Don’t Be Sidelined  is a mental health public awareness campaign created through the collaboration and support of various non-profit and health and human service organizations across the state of Nebraska. The Don’t Be Sidelined campaign is led by The Kim Foundation and was launched in September of 2012 in partnership with Husker Sports Marketing.

Don’t Be Sidelined is a public awareness campaign that focuses on mental health and suicide prevention. The campaign has kicked off its third year, and is reaching thousands of people throughout Nebraska, the United States, and even internationally, with the message that mental illness is treatable, and suicide is preventable.

We are appealing to people who are personally experiencing challenges with their mental health but haven’t yet sought help, to encourage them to take that first step by asking for help. Anthony Steels is a former Nebraska Husker and retired NFL player who has battled severe depression, but is now living a successful, fulfilled life in recovery. Anthony serves as the spokesperson for Don’t Be Sidelined, and in this brief radio spot encourages others to join him in building awareness about suicide prevention and mental health. He talks about his struggles and journey to seek help, while emphasizing the staggering statistic about suicide that more than 38,000 people die by suicide each year.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call 800.273.TALK or visitDontBeSidelined.com for more resources. Join Anthony, and all of our partners at Don’t Be Sidelined, in raising awareness about mental health and increasing the understanding that suicide is preventable. Together, we can get those impacted, back in the game.

Don’t Be Sidelined PSA Transcript

Hi I’m Anthony Steels, former Husker and NFL player. For years I struggled with depression and for years I dealt with it alone, but with the encouragement of my friend Tom Osborne, I sought help. Unfortunately, not everyone seeks the help they so desperately need. More than 38,000 people die by suicide each year. National Suicide Prevention Week is in September. Join us in building awareness to this critical topic. Help is available. Suicide is preventable. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 800-273-TALK or visit dontbesidelined.comfor more resources.

If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out. Help is available!