Three Trees Newsletter - September 2026
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: The Power of Connection
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to bring greater awareness to suicide, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health struggles, and remind one another that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
When we hear the words suicide prevention, it can be easy to picture a crisis or imagine that prevention belongs primarily to mental health professionals. While professional support is incredibly important, suicide prevention can also happen in much smaller, everyday moments through connection.
You have the power to be a part of effective suicide prevention. It can look like sending a text to a friend you've been thinking about. It can be sitting with someone who is having a hard day instead of trying to immediately fix it. It can be asking your teenager how they are really doing, checking in with a partner who seems distant, or noticing that someone you love hasn't quite seemed like themselves lately.
Sometimes, we hesitate to reach out because we don't know what to say. We worry that we might make things awkward or that we're overstepping. But connection doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful.
A simple, "I've been thinking about you. How are you doing?" can open a door.
And sometimes, we are the ones who need that door opened for us.
This month, we encourage you to think about the people in your life and the ways you can create more space for honest conversation and connection. You don't have to have all the right words. You don't have to solve someone's problems. Sometimes, simply letting someone know, "You don't have to go through this alone," is a powerful place to start.
A Final Thought
As we move through Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we hope you'll remember that prevention isn't only something that happens during a crisis.
It happens in the everyday moments when we choose connection over isolation.
It happens when we ask another question instead of accepting "I'm fine." It happens when we make time for a friend, sit beside our child, check in with our partner, or send a text simply to say, "I'm thinking about you."
With warmth,
The Three Trees Counseling team
Check it Out!
The Text That Saves a Life: Caring Contacts, Peer Support & Suicide Prevention
This month, we're recommending an episode of the Hope Illuminated Podcast with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas featuring Brandon Wilcox, a peer support specialist, community crisis innovator, and suicide attempt survivor.
The episode explores the concept of "caring contacts"—simple, supportive messages that let someone know you're thinking about them without asking anything in return.
The conversation highlights how something as simple as a text can communicate, "You matter. I'm here. You're not alone."
Your challenge this month: Think of one person and send the text. "I've been thinking about you. Hope you're doing okay."
Rest, Rejuvenate, and Relate
It is important to REST, REJUVENATE, and RELATE with friends, family and your community through
experiences- big and small.
Sometimes taking care of ourselves can be as simple as stepping away from our routines and spending time with someone we care about. This month, invite a friend, partner, or family member to grab coffee and catch up at a local Brentwood spot, such as The Well Coffeehouse or The Perch.
Rest: Take a break from the demands and busyness of everyday life.
Rejuvenate: Enjoy good conversation, laughter, and quality time with someone you care about.
Relate:
Put down your phone, be present, and strengthen your connection.
You don't need a big plan to strengthen relationships. Sometimes, it's just coffee and a conversation.
Connect with
Abigail
We are excited to announce that our newest clinical intern, Abigail Johnson is accepting clients!
Abigail has specialized experience in child development and parent education and has a genuine passion for helping parents navigate challenging seasons with children of all ages. She is also passionate about working with teens, couples, and individuals.
Abigail is currently accepting new clients! If you're interested in working with Abigail, you can schedule a free initial consultation or your first appointment directly through our website.
Bloom Book Club
for Women
Online Group
Bloom is not group therapy.
It’s a professionally facilitated book club led by Kristen Rucker, LMSW, offering a thoughtful and supportive space for conversation, connection, personal reflection, and growth.
No fixing. No pretending. No
need to have it all together. Just women, a good book, meaningful conversation, and room to bloom.
We're Growing!
As our practice continues to grow, we're also looking to connect with additional licensed clinicians and clinical interns who share our commitment to compassionate, thoughtful, and relationship-centered care.
If you or someone you know may be a good fit for our team, we'd love to connect! Stay tuned for future opportunities and announcements as we continue building our Three Trees Counseling community.
