September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a nationwide observance dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring people know where to turn for help in times of crisis. Across the country, community groups, advocates, and families are hosting events and campaigns to highlight life-saving resources and encourage open conversations about mental health.

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Why Suicide Prevention Month Matters

Suicide remains a leading public health issue in the United States. It is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–34, according to the CDC, and one in five high school students reports seriously considering suicide in the past year.

Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) use September to focus public attention on prevention efforts. Their goal is to ensure people know how to recognize warning signs and how to connect with effective help when needed.

Learn more: NAMI – Suicide Prevention Awareness Month | SAMHSA Toolkit

How to Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling, confidential support is available 24/7:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for immediate help.
  👉 Learn more here
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free support via text.
  👉 Crisis Text Line
• NAMI HelpLine: Call 800-950-6264, text NAMI to 62640, or visit NAMI HelpLine for peer support and referrals.
• For Students and Youth: Active Minds and Hope Squad provide peer-to-peer resources in schools and colleges.
• For Men: HeadsUpGuys offers tools, self-checks, and stories focused on men’s mental health.
• For Anyone Seeking Community: To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) provides digital tools, stories of hope, and treatment resources.

In immediate danger, always call 911.

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Moving Forward Together

Advocates emphasize that Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is more than a calendar designation—it’s a reminder that help is available, recovery is possible, and no one has to face struggles alone. By sharing resources, listening without judgment, and standing together, communities can create a culture where hope takes root and lives are saved.