Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: What It Means and How You Can Help
What Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month?
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is observed every September and is a time to remember those we have lost, support those who are struggling, and remind one another that hope, help, and healing are possible. It is a chance to open conversations that many of us avoid, reduce the silence and stigma around suicide, and connect people to support. You don't have to be a mental health professional to be part of it. Friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors all play a role.
Ways to take part include:
Start a conversation: Check in with someone you care about, and let them know you are willing to listen.
Learn the warning signs: Knowing what to look for helps you notice when someone may need support.
Share resources: Pass along crisis and support information to the people in your life.
Reach out for yourself: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Know the Warning Signs
According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, people considering suicide may show signs that they are thinking about or planning to attempt it.
Common warning signs include:
Feeling unbearable pain
Talking about death or showing a recent fascination with it
Feeling hopeless, worthless, or trapped
Feeling guilt, shame, or anger
Feeling like a burden to others
Changes in behavior or mood may include:
A recent suicide attempt
Increased alcohol or drug use
Losing interest in personal appearance or hygiene
Withdrawing from family, friends, or community
Saying goodbye to loved ones or giving away prized possessions
A recent episode of depression, emotional distress, or anxiety
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Becoming violent or being a victim of violence
Expressing rage
Noticing one of these signs doesn't always mean someone is in crisis, but it is a good reason to reach out with care.
When to Get Help Right Away
Some behaviors signal an emergency. If you notice someone talking about immediate harm to themselves or others, making plans to attempt suicide, or acting so erratically that you are worried about their safety, connect them with professional help immediately. That could be the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, emergency medical services, or a mental health professional.
Resources:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline is a free, 24-hour phone line for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and an online chat option is also available.
SPRC fact sheets: The Suicide Prevention Resource Center offers a fact sheet for family and community members with tips on how to respond when you notice warning signs.
SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Awareness Month toolkit: Find shareable messages and materials at samhsa.gov.
You Don't Have to Carry This Alone
Therapy can be a place to process pain, heal from past wounds, and feel less alone. At Trellis Therapy, our therapists offer a safe, welcoming space. Please note that Trellis Therapy is not a crisis service. Engaging with this post does not start therapeutic services. If you are ready to begin therapy, we would be honored to walk alongside you. Reach out to us today to get started.
If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911, call or text 988 or contact another emergency service right away.
Sources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2026). Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved September 18, 2026, from https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/suicide-prevention-month
Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (n.d.). Warning signs of suicide. Retrieved September 18, 2026, from https://sprc.org/warning-signs-of-suicide/
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