Ways To Raise Awareness During National Suicide Prevention Week

National Suicide Prevention Week is typically observed the week after Labor Day each September. In addition, World Suicide Prevention Day takes place annually on September 10. Much like Mental Health Awareness Month, these observances aim to help raise public awareness for mental health challenges, share resources, and be an encouraging light for community participants to band together to support each other to decrease rates of suicide in the US and around the world.

What is National Suicide Prevention Week? 

A variety of other organizations, like the American Association of Suicidology and the 988 Lifeline, may also support the goal of suicide prevention during September. The 988 Lifeline, recommends using the hashtag #BeThe1To during this week to encourage informed action to prevent suicide by lethal means. They state that they’re “working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope”.

Why is suicide prevention a public health issue?

The United States Department of Health and Human Services describes suicide prevention as a public health issue or challenge because it is consistently one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Suicide and suicidal thoughts may impact a variety of people, including adolescents and young adults, veterans, and people with co-occurring disorders. This widespread impact may make it a public health concern, rather than an isolated private challenge. 

Public health concerns may typically have identifiable risks and protective factors. People at a greater risk of suicide may experience identifiable risk factors, including: 

• Depression and other mental illnesses
• Substance use disorder
• Chronic pain
• Social isolation
• Economic stress
  

Factors that may prevent suicide may include: 

• Strong social connections
• Access to mental health care
• Community support
• Coping skills    

The importance of awareness and connection

Two of the main goals of National Suicide Prevention Week may be to promote awareness and develop connections. Building awareness can help reduce the stigma around suicide and other mental health challenges. Having conversations about mental health can normalize treatment and help people understand that treatment is available. 

A major risk factor of suicide may be social isolation. National Suicide Prevention Week may serve to highlight the importance of connection, and there may be events centered around connecting people facing similar challenges. Developing a connection with friends, colleagues, and family members can help a person feel like they matter.   

How to take supportive action for mental health in your community

There are a few ways you might encourage your community and others in your life to take action for National Suicide Prevention Week, including the following. 

Organize a local event 

A variety of special events take place during September around the world for suicide remembrance and prevention. You might band together with a local organization or with your colleagues from your workplace, for example, to start your own event, which you can then register to spread the word. People may organize events such as:

• A race or march
• A cycling event
• A triathlon 
• A community speech by someone affected by suicide or an awareness conference featuring survivors
• A family-friendly fair or local market

Join an official event during National Suicide Prevention Month

If you’re not interested in or able to start your own event, you may choose to participate in an official event. You can check the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s event page for ideas. One example is their well-known Cycle the Globe event. In 2023, they completed their tenth year. Check back with the IASP closer to September to learn more about when the event will launch. 

Talk about suicide statistics

Talking about suicide and suicidal ideation can be difficult, but it’s likely necessary to help reduce mental health stigma. The World Health Organization reports that more than 700,000 people globally die from suicide each year. They also share that a prior suicide attempt may be one of the most common risk factors in suicide completion. That’s why creating an open dialogue about this issue, checking in on a loved one, and making an effort to educate everyone on the availability of resources for those facing mental health challenges can make a difference. 

There are also statistics and fact points that can be shared as a hopeful message, such as the following: 

• There was a 3.4% decrease in suicide rates from 2019 to 2020, and 50% of Americans experiencing an episode of major depression received treatment for it that year.
• The 988 suicide crisis lifeline number has now been federally recognized, meaning that crisis support is now more widely available to reduce suicide.
• The lowest rates of suicide in 2020 were in California, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, which are all states that have implemented suicide prevention laws. 

Although suicide may still stand as a leading cause of death, suicide prevention efforts and access to mental health care can make a real impact. Sharing personal stories and statistics and otherwise speaking openly about mental health can be helpful during this week and year-round.

Check in on your loved ones

Another way to make a positive impact on your community year-round is to check in on friends and family about how they’re doing. Letting them know that you’re there for them can make a significant difference if they’re facing mental health challenges, and you can also help connect them to any resources they may need. You might also advocate for friends and family to take a free mental health screening if they have concerns. Mental Health America offers several resources for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other common mental health conditions. You can then encourage them to reach out for help if they receive a positive result on a screening. 

If you’re a caregiver, medical provider, or therapist, you might also benefit from using the four brief screening questions from the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) toolkit by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) when screening your clients for suicide risk. 

Wear the colors 

The National Suicide Prevention Week colors are orange and yellow together on one ribbon. These colors represent the colors of the flame of a candle in an effort to signify both remembrances of those lost to suicide as well as the light of hope for those that communities can work together to safeguard. During September, you might consider wearing yellow and orange clothing to represent your support and lift your spirits. If someone asks you about the importance of your color choices, you can tell them about suicide loss prevention efforts, suicide warning signs, and how they can participate, too. 

Support a suicide-prevention non-profit

There are many nonprofits and community organizations out there working to expand mental health services and resources, promote suicide awareness, and save lives. You can check with your favorite organizations to see if they are looking for volunteers or accepting donations. If you’re able to offer your time and/or money, you can do so during this month and year-round.

How National Suicide Prevention Week creates long-term impact

National Suicide Prevention Week may have a long-term impact that extends well beyond the recognized week. One main goal of the week may be to foster a sense of connection between participants. This connection may extend throughout the year, with participants circling back and reconnecting with each other for a long-term impact. 

While the events of National Suicide Prevention Week matter and build awareness, that awareness may turn into action year-round. This could include checking in on friends or family more frequently, or continuing to educate yourself about mental health. Even small things, like creating a self-reflection routine, can help improve mental health and prevent suicide. 

Counseling and support options

A key element of suicide prevention awareness is spreading the word about the fact that resources are available for those who are facing mental health challenges. Speaking with a mental health professional may be one way to get help for such challenges. A therapist, for instance, can offer nonjudgmental, compassionate support and caring conversations and work with you to develop healthy perspectives, coping mechanisms, and a sense of hope. 

If you face barriers to in-person treatment, such as cost or a lack of transportation, you might consider virtual therapy options instead. Online therapy may often be both more cost-effective and flexible. If you’re interested in trying out this type of care, you might consider a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp. You can get matched with a licensed therapist whom you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing together.