September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is recognized annually in September, also encapsulating World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th) and National Suicide Prevention Week (the Monday through Friday surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day). All month long, mental health organizations and individuals across the world unite to raise awareness of suicide prevention, remember those affected by suicide, and focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most.
Why We Bring Awareness to Suicide Prevention
According to Mental Health America’s 2024 State of Mental Health in America report, over 5% of the U.S. adult population, or 12.8 million people, reported having serious thoughts of suicide. Following slight decreases in suicide deaths in 2019 and 2020, the number of suicides in 2022 reached the highest ever recorded in the U.S. Among young people aged 12-17, 13% reported experiencing serious suicidal thoughts. The highest rates of suicidal ideation among youth were reported by those identifying as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (25%) and those identifying as more than one race (20%).
This data affirms our vision at Seven Counties Services to boldly provide quality care and health services to improve the lives of individuals and families. This looks like providing ease of access, stabilization for those in crisis, trauma-informed treatment, and services emphasizing recovery and wellness. We know the journey for everyone is different and our passion is to be with individuals every step of the way!
What You Can Do to Spread Awareness
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, there are things you can do to help. Consider these three steps as helpful starting points:
Learn the Factors
An important first step is to know the risk factors that can increase the possibility a person will attempt suicide. Learn more about suicide risk factors.
Reach Out
When in doubt, trust your gut and reach out to someone who you think may be struggling. These five action steps can help you start the conversation with someone you’re worried about. Simply reaching out could save a life.
Connect to Help
At Seven Counties Services, we know that we can all help prevent suicide, not just during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but every day of the year. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), one of our standards is providing 24/7 crisis care. In addition to 24-hour mobile crisis teams, we also employ crisis counselors to support the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Through this service, our counselors provide supportive counseling, suicide assessment, prevention, and intervention over the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Anyone can also schedule a first appointment by calling (502) 589-1100 or completing an online appointment request.
Reviewed by Geneva Robinson M.S., the Director of the Crisis and Information Center for Seven Counties Services.
