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 new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after two consecutive years of declines in suicide — 47,511 in 2019 and 45,979 in 2020 — 2021 data indicate an increase in suicide to 48,183, nearly returning to the 2018 peak of 48,344 with an age-adjusted rate of 14.1 suicides per 100,000 population. 

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.