September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. World Suicide Prevention Day is the 10th. Throughout the month, and especially during the 10th, individuals and organizations around the country have plans to highlight the problem of suicide and advocate its prevention.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 – 24. It is also one of the leading causes of preventable death. We lose approximately 137 young people in this age group to suicide each week. Four out of Five individuals considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. That means in 80% of those considering suicide, we have an opportunity to recognize the warning signs and intervene!
Anyone can participate in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. There are activities that individuals, schools, offices, churches, and all types of organizations can conduct to bring awareness to suicide prevention.
#IWONTBESILENT is an awareness campaign by The Jason Foundation to raise the national conversation of the “silent epidemic” of youth suicide. Learn the warning signs associated with suicide, and challenge the people you know to learn them, as well. Challenge your co-workers, school, social club, friends, or family to join you.
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or simply “988,” is a three-digit phone number in the United States that connects individuals in emotional distress, including those experiencing thoughts of suicide, with trained counselors and mental health professionals. Like 911 for immediate physical crises, 988 is intended to provide quick access to critical mental health support.
One of the simplest ways that you can become involved in National Suicide Prevention Month activities is to promote suicide prevention efforts on your social media.
We can all help prevent suicide. Every year, the Lifeline and other mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention.
How to Help Someone You Know
If you know someone who is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 right away. It can be difficult when someone you know expresses thoughts about suicide, but you can show support by doing the following:
- Talk. Your willingness to express your concern for the person in crisis can be the first step in getting that person help.
- Listen. Being an active listener is another way of reminding a person in crisis that they are not alone.
- Remain Present. Your physical and emotional presence in the person’s life makes a difference. If you are worried about their safety, get help from a mental health professional immediately.
- Call or text 988. Last year, 988 was activated as a new three-digit dialing code. When someone dials 988, they will be connected to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This confidential support line is available 24 hours a day to provide free help to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
Suicide prevention is important every day of the year. National Suicide Prevention Month gives us an opportunity to shine a special, encouraging light on this topic that affects us all, and send a clear, hopeful message that help is available, and suicide can be prevented.
If you would like to learn more about the National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, our information was sourced from https://jasonfoundation.com/get-involved/suicide-prevention-month/ , https://www.iwontbesilent.com , https://988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/ , https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-week/ , https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/news/2023/09/06/september-suicide-prevention-and-awareness-month#:~:text=By%20starting%20the%20conversation%2C%20providing,in%20crisis%2C%20help%20is%20available