Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month —a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. We use this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

Crisis Resources

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
• If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. 
• You can also text HOME to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
• Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
• Being Prepared for a Crisis
• Read our guide, “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis”
• What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide
• Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.

How To Engage With Suicide Prevention Month

During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, please refer to these images and graphics you can use on your website and social media accounts. Use #Suicide Prevention

While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength to address difficult topic. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.

Advocate

Join our movement to advocate for a better mental health care system by signing up for advocacy alerts and taking action when opportunities arise in your community. 

Share Key Fast Facts

These are only a few of the reasons why it’s important to take part in promoting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Please use these facts and others, including the “It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide” infographics on our website, to encourage discussions with your community through social media or other forms of outreach.

Individual Impact:

• 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
• Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.
• Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
• 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition – but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Community Impact:

• Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, high risk populations:
  • U.S. Adults: 4.8%
  • Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander: 7.4%
  • Mixed/Multiracial: 8.2%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 8.5%
  • Young adults aged 18-25: 13%
  • High school students: 22%
  • LGBTQ youth: 41%
• The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaskan Natives, followed bynon-Hispanic whites
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
• Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life compared tothe general population.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources.

If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call or click away:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org): Call or text 988. Chat at 988lifeline.org.
• Deschutes County Crisis Line: 541-322-7500 x9
• YouthLine • a teen crisis helpline with teen-to-teen support (oregonyouthline.org)
  • YouthLine is a free teen-to-teen crisis support and helpline. Teens are available to help daily from 4-10 pm PT. (Adults are available by phone at all other times!)
  • Text “teen2teen” to 839863
  • Chat now at oregonyouthline.org
  • Call 877-968-8491
• Senior & Disabilities Crisis Support Services: 1-800-971-0016
• Senior Loneliness Line (seniorlonelinessline.org): If you are 55 or older and feeling isolated or just want to have a friendly conversation, call the Senior Loneliness Line at 503-200-1633
• Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance | (preventsuicideco.org): www.preventsuicideco.org