September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It’s a time to look for warning signs, talk openly about suicide and help connect people at risk with support. If you’re experiencing distress or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or use the 988 Lifeline chat for confidential help, free of charge.
Why September Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month helps people learn warning signs, fight stigma and share trusted crisis resources. September also features 988 Day on September 8 and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
Much of that work starts in August. Organizations use this time to review crisis plans and make sure every message clearly shows where to get help. Planning ahead avoids last-minute campaigns that sometimes lean on alarming language.
Suicide in the U.S. by the Numbers
Suicide is still a serious public health issue. The CDC reports that 48,824 people died by suicide in the United States in 2024. Numbers like these can feel overwhelming, but they aren’t the whole story. Suicidal crises are treatable, and many people who reach care go on to recover.
Who Is Most at Risk
Anyone can have suicidal thoughts, and the risk goes up when several pressures happen at once. Mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder increase risk. Painful life events, such as a breakup or long periods of isolation, also add to the risk. Having attempted suicide before is one of the strongest risk factors.
Veterans are at greater risk because military trauma and the challenges of adjusting to civilian life can add up, especially when support is limited. First responders deal with similar issues, including repeated trauma, long hours and a work culture that makes it hard to show vulnerability. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical crews all need confidential care that understands the pressure they’re under at work.
Young people face their own pressures. In 2023, 20.4% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide. Among transgender and questioning students, about 26% attempted suicide in the past year, compared with 5% of cisgender male students and 11% of cisgender female students. Experiences of rejection or bullying without enough support deepen that risk, which is why adults should pay close attention to changes in a young person’s mood and behavior.
Some people drink or use drugs to cope with emotional pain. But substances often make depression worse, lower impulse control and affect judgment, increasing the risk over time.
Warning Signs to Recognize
Warning signs need attention, especially if they are new, getting worse or linked to a painful event.
If a person is contemplating taking their own life, you may notice:
- Talking about wanting to die, feeling trapped or feeling like a burden to others
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Saying goodbye in an unusual way
- Giving away possessions they care about
- Putting their affairs in order
These signs often surface in the wake of a loss, a breakup, job trouble or a serious diagnosis. If someone who has been deeply distressed suddenly appears calm, don’t assume the danger has passed.
No single behavior is proof that someone is thinking about suicide. But a pattern of worrying changes signals it’s time for a direct conversation.
What to Do If You Recognize the Signs
Begin by asking directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking this question does not put the idea in someone’s head. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that asking directly does not increase suicidal thoughts or actions. Simple responses like “I’m glad you told me” and “I want to help you stay safe” show that you take the person seriously.
Stay with the person, or make sure another trusted adult is with them and help keep anything dangerous away from them. Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts a secret. Instead, call or text 988 together so a trained counselor can help.
Go to the nearest emergency room if the person is in immediate danger, has already tried to harm themselves or cannot stay safe alone. Crisis support helps during the hardest moments, but it doesn’t replace ongoing professional care.
Need Help?
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The Role of Integrated Treatment
At FHE Health, we use an integrated approach that looks at the whole person. When depression, trauma, anxiety or another condition happens along with substance use, we treat both. Our co-occurring disorders model helps patients understand their symptoms.
For people who need more support than weekly outpatient visits can provide, our residential care delivers a structured setting with regular clinical contact. We tailor our care to your individual needs. Treatment may include medication management, individual therapy and group sessions.
We also provide neurorehabilitative and neuroscience-based services. When appropriate, we include them in a personalized plan focused on managing symptoms. Since recovery continues after discharge, we help patients leave with follow-up appointments, medication support and a safety plan.
How to Support Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
You do not need clinical training to take part in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Learn the warning signs, save 988 in your phone and share crisis information where people can see it, such as at work, at school or on social media profiles. Use safe language by avoiding graphic details or any suggestion that suicide is inevitable.
If you decide to share your own experience, protect your mental health and consider how the details might affect someone who is vulnerable. The 988 Lifeline has a checklist for safely sharing lived experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reach Out for Support
You don’t have to handle serious mental health symptoms or substance use alone. Our clinical team at FHE Health treats mental health and substance use issues with integrated, residential care. Contact us to learn more about our programs. If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 before arranging non-emergency treatment.
