Grab All of Your Investment Account Mail and Open Everything hEALTH & WELLNESS Help Is Only a Phone Call Away

By Dr. Sharice Bradford CNW Staff Writer TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses suicide prevention

Recently, I came across a post by a Facebook friend expressing their battle with suicidal thoughts. As she went through her experience, she mentioned that this was a struggle she has had for some time and though she was transparent, friends, family and people who were concerned for her health and well-being, no matter how supportive they were just never had the right words of comfort or encouragement. While in her time of crisis she was not sure of who or what she needed she knew that as her suicidal thoughts increased she needed help.

The good news for this woman and for all of us is that help is only a phone call away. This woman courageously, and it does take courage and strength to ask for help, called 9-8-8. 9-8-8 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This Lifeline is a ‘national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.’

Lifeline is committed to improving crisis services and increasing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. Their website https://988lifeline.org/ has a wealth of information and resources for all demographics of people and cover topics on many types of crises.

9-8-8 is not the only resource that is only a phone call away. 2-1-1 is a new local crisis hotline that is in place to serve Chicago and metro Cook County. This service, like the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Specifically, this hotline connects Chicago and Suburban Cook County residents to essential health and social service support and information during times of non-emergency crisis and for everyday needs. 2-1-1 helps connect residents to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more. Their website https://211metrochicago.org/ has information on all of the resources they provide.

Next is 3-1-1. 3-1-1, is a local hotline to help you with various needs. You can call 3-1-1 if the streetlights on your block are out. 3-1-1 is the number to call if your trash has not been collected, if there are trees that have fallen and need to be picked up or unattended animals in the neighborhood. Once a request is submitted through 3-1-1, it is then routed to the appropriate city department and the repair or request is scheduled. If you register on the 3-1-1 site, you can receive updates on the request you submitted. Help right at your fingertips.

We have seen and some of us may have experienced what happens when untrained professionals attempt share of stock for $80. On the flip side, if this same share of stock increases in value to $120, you have gained $20 in value, and you have not made $20 until you share that stock for $120. to intervene in mental health issues. Knowing that it is possible to place a call to professionals experienced in dealing with mental health issues can alleviate a lot of stress both for those who suffer with mental health issue and those who care for loved ones with mental health issues. This is why having resources such as 9-8-8 and 3-1-1 are crucial. They can be the difference between life and death for some people.

I will offer a word of caution at this point. The data tells us that most attempts at timing the market or predicting when it will go up or go down have proven unsuccessful for most everyday investors. My advice is to avoid reacting to the financial pornography talking heads on television and radio and devise a plan according to your own personal risk tolerance. There are any number of risk profile questionnaires that reside on your bank or financial advisors’ website that usually have 6-10 questions that help you determine what kind of investor you are and suggest an investment allocation that is suitable for you. Invest and allocate according to your risk profile and let the investment markets do what they do. Periodically, retake the risk profile tests and adjust accordingly if necessary. Most important, open that mail and be an active participant in your investments.

Last and absolutely not least we have 9-1-1. 9-1-1 is the number to call in time of emergency. House on fire, crime in progress, suspicious activity. All 9-1-1 issues. 9-1-1 is the national number for public safety concerns and is here for everyone when needed. 9-1-1 was created in 1968. Prior to that time residents needed to know the 7-digit phone number to contact emergency services. 9-1-1 eliminated that and gave residents nationwide a quick and easy way to contact emergency services when they needed them.

In these uncertain times, it is great to know that help is just within the reach of our cell or home phones. The ability to receive assistance as quickly as dialing 3 numbers can be a life saving measure for many people. Save these numbers and know that no matter what circumstances you may be dealing with in your life. Help is just a phone call away.