SOUTHEAST IOWA — May’s Mental Health Awareness Month aims to break the silence around mental health stigma. But Rachel Jones, Director and Co-Founder of Andrew’s Hope says those conversations should happen year-round.
After losing her son to suicide, Jones turned her grief into advocacy, and as she started that journey, she says one of Andrew’s friends shared a simple, but powerful request.
Jones recalled the conversation.
“He said, ‘Could you do one thing for me, please? And I said, ‘Yes, what is it?’ And he said, ‘Could you please say something or do something about the stigma around mental health and men not being able to talk about, you know, what they’re going through?’ So, we’ve tried to do that and a lot, as much as we can. And hopefully that’s making a difference.”
According to the CDC, men account for nearly 80 percent of suicide deaths.
Jones says stigma may play a role, especially when asking for help is sometimes seen as weakness. But, she says it takes great strength for someone to take that first step and reach out.
She works to reduce the stigma by promoting mental health literacy, encouraging early intervention, and helping to build a more compassionate, supportive community.
“One of the things my son was really good at was connecting with people and that’s something that is very special and rare in the way that he did it,” Jones said. “Human connection or just being connected to another human being or other human beings is something that we all desire, and we all need. Everybody needs to feel loved or accepted. And that’s part of the reason why we keep saying, ‘Support each other.’”
Jones strongly emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer support, especially in rural areas where mental health resources may be limited.
Whether it’s just sending a simple text to say hello or letting someone know, “I’m thinking about you,”Jones says small acts of support can help people feel loved, connected, and safe enough to reach out.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, the nation’s 988 hotline is free and available 24/7.