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Recognizing World Mental Health Day: How families play a crucial role in suicide prevention

THE AFRO — Experts stress that family and community support can be lifesaving in preventing suicide, with simple acts like listening, showing up and connecting loved ones to care making all the difference.

Published

1 year ago

October 11, 2025

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com

Each year World Mental Health Day serves as a time for the members of the community to focus on their mental and emotional health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that “depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life.”

Licensed clinical social worker Charde Hollins emphasizes the vital role of family and community in suicide prevention. She encourages open listening, support and connecting loved ones to professional care. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.

Experts stress that family and community support can be lifesaving in preventing suicide, with simple acts like listening, showing up and connecting loved ones to care making all the difference.

When a person struggles with mental health challenges, a simple listening ear or consistent presence from family can be powerfully influential. Mental health experts Charde Hollins, Lontonia Bryant and Dorian Withrow Jr. emphasize this, highlighting the crucial role of family in suicide prevention and offering practical tips for supporting loved ones.

“Family, friends and community members are often the first to notice when something is off,” said Hollins, a licensed clinical social worker. “That makes them the front line of prevention—not because they have to ‘fix’ someone, but because they have the power to respond rather than retreat.”

Hollins said the first way to intervene is simply to listen.

Mental health counselor Lontonia Bryant highlights the importance of family and community when it comes to mental health. She believes a strong circle can help youth navigate mental health challenges and prevent suicide. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.

“When someone shares their struggle, they’re not always asking for a solution—they’re asking for safety,” said Hollins. “Your role is to hold space without judgment and to validate instead of minimize.”

She advised avoiding clichés such as “it’s not that bad” or “think positive.” Instead, she recommends open and direct language like “thank you for trusting me with this” or “I’m here, you don’t have to go through this alone.”

Hollins said a family member can also ask directly if someone is thinking about suicide.

“Say the word,” said Hollins. “It won’t plant the idea. It creates a lifeline.”

The next step is getting professional help.

“In my work training communities and organizations in mental health first aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), I’ve seen how everyday people can learn to spot warning signs, ask clear questions, de-escalate and connect someone to care,” said Hollins.

Hollins said the best support is knowing when to refer someone to a professional, rather than trying to rescue them on their own.

Licensed clinical social worker Dorian Withrow Jr. believes that being fully present and giving individuals genuine attention and support can help them feel seen and reduce the risk of suicide. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.

“Just because you know CPR doesn’t mean you skip the hospital afterward. The skills keep someone stable until professional help arrives,” said Hollins. “The same logic applies to mental health.”

She acknowledged medical distrust in the Black community is real and justified but emphasized the importance of not letting health issues go unaddressed.

“Look for culturally responsive providers, ask about their experience with Black clients, bring a support person if needed, and use telehealth if access is a barrier,” said Hollins. “Mental health is health. Your best friend and support system can love you, but they shouldn’t be your only plan of care, it’s not sustainable.”

From 2018 to 2023, suicide rates in the U.S. rose significantly among Black and Hispanic individuals, by 25.2 percent and 10 percent, respectively, while declining 3.1 percent among White individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bryant, a mental health counselor, said family support can be monumental in the Black community.

“Family is the backbone of our community and is the safe haven for many,” said Bryant. “For some the family unit is a place of support without judgement, being heard, guided and sharing personal struggles. This is very important when things are overwhelming.”

If someone doesn’t have family to lean on, support from their community can be just as valuable.

“It takes a village with love, support and guidance to form the circle of support that is needed to help our youth,” said Bryant. “When we come together as a community and can openly talk about different things affecting our youth, whether it is suicide, mental health or education, it lessens the silence.”

Suicide is a leading cause of death for children and young adults in the U.S. In 2023, it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Withrow, a licensed clinical social worker, said feeling invisible can lead to suicidal thoughts.

“Many people don’t believe anyone truly sees or cares about their problems,” said Withrow. “As a result, they begin to internalize the belief that no one will help which can lead to isolation, withdrawal and in some cases, antisocial behavior. That behavior may take the form of aggression, theft, destruction, or, tragically, self-harm or suicide.”

In 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death for U.S. youth and young adults ages 10-34. Photo Credit: Chart courtesy of the National Institute of Mental Health

Suicide can be a desperate attempt to be seen.

“This is where family, friends and neighbors really matter,” said Withrow. “When we give someone our full attention—open, honest and present—it can be what pulls them from the edge of despair toward hope.”

Withrow added it’s not about saying all the right words but simply showing up.

“In our communities, we show up with food, rides and prayer,” said Hollins. “Keep doing that and add resources, boundaries and referrals. You don’t have to be a therapist, you have to be a bridge. Love and action can get someone through it.”

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

3 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.