Beyond Seasons: Understanding the Truth About Suicide Rates

Alex Koupal • May 22, 2024

Understanding the Truth About Suicide Rates

There's a common misconception that suicide rates peak during the dark, wintry months, but the reality might surprise you. While the winter blues are real, the statistics tell a different story. The period after the holidays, late spring, and early summer is when suicide rates often surge.

The festivities are over, families have bid their farewells, and life returns to its usual pace. However, for many, this transition brings a sense of isolation and pressure. It's when the weight of moving forward and the realities of life settle in.

Contrary to popular belief, suicide isn't always an act of selfishness. In fact, it's often the opposite. Individuals who contemplate or tragically go through with suicide might genuinely believe they're relieving others of a burden—the burden of themselves. It's a distorted perception, but in their minds, they see it as a selfless act, sparing their loved ones from perceived pain. It's not just a result of selfishness or weakness. It's a manifestation of deep internal struggles, often exacerbated by societal pressures and mental health challenges.

Understanding the factors influencing these rates isn't straightforward and it’s not always the person you’d think that’s suffering that’s truly suffering. There was a commercial that was distributed by the Norwich Football Club, if you missed it.. Here is the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX8TgVR33KM . It’s a powerful statement about mental health and the unspoken truth that sometimes is right in front of us.

So, how do we address this? It starts with open conversations and erasing the stigma surrounding mental health. It's about creating a supportive environment where seeking help isn't seen as a weakness but as an act of strength. Offering understanding, empathy, and support can make a world of difference to someone battling inner demons. It’s about returning the question “how are you?” to open dialect.

While the statistics might show trends, suicide prevention isn't confined to a season. It's a year-round commitment to providing resources, understanding, and hope. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy—one that prompts us to delve deeper, break stigmas, and extend compassion to those who need it most. Because every voice, every life, matters. If you or someone you know is struggling, seeking help from mental health professionals or support hotlines can be a lifeline, here’s the website for the National Mental Health Hotline, https://mentalhealthhotline.org/ and the number, just incase 866-903-3787.

Together, let's work towards a world where every individual feels heard, valued, and supported. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please feel free to schedule a free consultation with one of our coaches and we’ll help you find the referrals and resources you need, free of charge.

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How to Figure Out What You Want in Life (Without the Overwhelm)

By Alex Koupal • April 16, 2025

Let’s be real—figuring out what you actually want in life can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. If you’re a busy mom juggling a million things or a twenty-something stuck in “what’s next?” mode, the pressure to have it all figured out is exhausting . But here’s the thing: You don’t need a five-year plan. You just need a starting point. 1. Stop Stressing About Having the "Right" Answer No one wakes up one day with a perfectly clear vision of their future. Life is messy, careers change, and passions evolve. Give yourself permission to explore instead of forcing yourself to commit to one path forever. Take the pressure off—it’s not that serious. 2. Follow What Feels Good What are you naturally drawn to? What do you find yourself Googling or watching a TikTok at 2 AM? Pay attention to the things that spark your interest—that’s where the magic starts. 3. Try Before You Decide You don’t have to quit your job or go back to school tomorrow. Test things out! Take a class, volunteer, start a side hustle—get a feel for what excites you before making big moves. 4. Talk to Real People I know, I know… talking to people can be awkward, but real opportunities don’t just knock on your door. Reach out to people who are doing something that interests you. Ask them how they got there. You’d be surprised how many are willing to share advice—and how much clarity you’ll gain just by listening. 5. Just Take the First Step The biggest thing holding people back? Overthinking. (Yep, shocking, I know.) Stop waiting for the perfect plan and just start —sign up for that workshop, send that email, go to that event. Clarity comes from doing , not from obsessing over every little detail. You don’t need all the answers today. Just take one small step and trust that you're figuring it out as you go. 6. Don’t Do It Alone Big decisions feel less overwhelming when you have someone in your corner. A mentor, coach, or even just a trusted friend can help you see things from a different perspective. If you’re feeling stuck, let’s talk! Book a clarity session —sometimes, all you need is a little guidance to get moving in the right direction.

Tiktok, Social Media & Teens: How to guide without just saying, "Get off your phone!"

By Alex Koupal • April 9, 2025

Let’s be real: telling teens to “get off your phone!” doesn’t work. Social media is part of their world. For our teens, social media is how they connect, learn, and express themselves. So how can we help them use it wisely without sounding and being the villain? There’s a way to help them navigate social media mindfully, and no, it doesn’t involve a complete ban. 1. Start the Conversation, Not the Battle Instead of becoming the enemy and banning social media out of the blue, talk to your teen about what they’re doing on it. Is it for learning, creativity, or just entertainment? Understanding their “why” helps guide them to use it more purposefully. 2. Set Healthy Boundaries Together Instead of enforcing rules, involve your teen in setting healthy screen-time limits. It gives them ownership and responsibility over their habits. For example, “I’ll spend 30 minutes scrolling up on TikTok after school, and then I’ll switch to doing homework” can be a much better strategy than enforcing a rigid rule that feels like punishment. When your teen has a say in the boundaries, they’re more likely to stick to them. 3. Be a Role Model What adults do, Teens do! If we’re glued to our phones, constantly checking social media, it sends the message that it’s okay to get lost in the digital world. Model healthy habits, like setting phone-free times, taking social media breaks, or just being present during family time. Show them how to use social media in a balanced way by setting phone-free times and modeling healthy habits. 4. Encourage Real-Life Activities Social media is great for staying in touch, but it can never replace real-life experiences. Encourage hobbies, sports, or family time to keep them grounded. This way, they can create a well-rounded life that isn’t centered solely around the screen. Plus, those real-world experiences will give them something to post about on their feed! 5. Be Their Guide, Not Their Warden At the end of the day, we can’t control everything teens do online. But we can provide guidance, support, and resources to help them use social media in a positive and mindful way. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to have trusted mentors—whether it’s a teacher, coach, older cousin, or life coach—who can provide advice beyond just Mom or Dad. If you’re worried about your teen’s social media habits, let’s talk! Book a free parent support session.