The Look At Mine Project was founded by Jackie Hemingway as a project that brings to light the many life-saving benefits that counseling can bring. In addition to personal self-growth and self-understanding, counseling on the broader scale has saved countless individuals from committing suicide.
This project highlights those who acknowledge their own frailties and shortcomings in life while promoting the fact that counseling has saved them from the terrible act of suicide.
Suicide is reaching epidemic proportions with around 130 suicides taking place each day. Suicide is not a poor person’s act, no person is exempt from suicide as we clearly see each year with countless celebrities who have taken their own lives.
The Look At Mine Project focuses on getting helpful counseling information into the hands of anyone who needs it. There are a variety of modalities of counseling available from in-office visits, group sessions, tele-therapy and even apps.
Many people associate a societal or personal stigma with getting counseling. A lack of understanding about suicide and those who attempt it contribute to this stigma. Counseling is seen as only being needed by “crazy” people or someone who acts out against normative behavior. We see this when someone reacts to a negative behavior by saying, “you need therapy!” which is often meant in a derogatory or insulting and sarcastic way.
Discussions about suicide need to move from the taboo and hushed, swept under the rug, and come out into the open in an honest and helpful way. Help is available to anyone who needs it. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free, 24/7 service available to anyone who may need it. Their toll-free number is 800-273-8255.
It is time to recognize suicide openly as a society and not shun those who contemplate this act as their only course of action. A cry for help, however it comes to the surface, is the first step in identifying someone who may need to talk with someone else about it.
Counseling saves lives! It is a fact that cannot be ignored or denied. Counselors who provide these services are front line responders, deserving of the same acknowledgment and respect we give our military, police, fire and rescue personnel. I personally believe that anyone who has chosen the profession of helping others through counseling deserves a medal for their work. It is time we recognize these heroes for the work they do. If there were a medal to award, I know the first person who should receive it, my counselor — Stefanie.
If you want to see the face of someone that Stefanie has helped save from suicide — look at mine…
If you would like free confidential help, simply call or text 988. Their toll free number is 800 273-8255. Trained professionals are standing by to offer you help.
Callers who press 1 at the prompt can be transferred to the Veterans Crisis Line. Spanish language and other callers can press 2 to be connected to a Tele- Interpreter service that supports more than 240 languages. There is support for the LGBTQ+ community by pressing 3.
No matter what your situation is, help is available to you at no charge. Make the choice to find a life worth living.
Be the one to save a life — it could be your own…
Hemingway Ink 