Center for Social Change:

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

 The following page contains references to suicide.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day across the U.S. 

• Call 1-800-273-8255 
• Chat online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

 

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that suicide can be prevented and healing is possible.

Everyone has a role to play to save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families, and communities. We can come together to reduce factors that increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior, and increase the factors that help strengthen, support, and protect people from suicide.

 

WATCH

• Watch a Suicide Awareness Week video on the importance of studying suicide from faculty member Dr. Sri Banerjee

LISTEN

• Listen to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Radio station AFSP Out Of The Darkness Radio - LISTEN LIVE | Audacy

READ

• Review the CDC’s guide to suicide prevention: Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices.
• Read about preventing suicide at work: The Role of Co-Workers in Preventing Suicide in the Workplace.

RESEARCH

• Learn more about the facts of suicide from the CDC.
• Research the groups that are at a greater risk for suicide.
• Know the warning signs of suicide.

REFLECT

• On World Suicide Day, September 10, remember those affected by suicide. If you have lost a loved one to suicide, know there are resources to support you and help you cope with your grief.

ACT

• Crisis centers are looking to bring on new volunteers. You will receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, search for opportunities at 988 Jobs | SAMHSA.
• Know the new Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and is now active across the United States. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. Note: The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
• Complete all 5 action steps of the “Take 5 to Save Lives” challenge.
• Take the free Depression Screening from Mental Health America.
• Find an upcoming event to participate in either through AFSP or SAVE.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

• Utilize the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Suicide Prevention Month Partner Guide for additional resources.