National Suicide Awareness Month

In September, we recognize National Suicide Awareness month. All month long, providers, organizations, and community members work together to educate and minimize the stigma around suicide. We can help by increasing access to effective, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services and supports.

Why It Matters

This month is important for so many reasons. Here are the top three: 

1. Awareness: Groups that focus on suicide prevention set out to lessen suicides to 20% by 2029. To do this, the talks around suicide need to increase.
2. Because of the stigma, suicide is not usually talked about. People make more of an effort to destigmatize mental illness in September by promoting conversation. 
3. Thanks to conversations, approaches to mental illness are changing. Schools and workplaces consistently start new programs and learnings.

How Can I Help

Want to make a change? 

1. Spread the word: Educate, hand out flyers, start a campaign, or spread hope and education through social media.
2. Volunteer: Spend some time at a crisis center in your area. 
3. Record: Recording a 15-30 second video showcasing your support and promoting education sparks change. 

If you want to help someone you know:

1. Reach out and let them know you are here for them. Invite them to share as much or as little as they like. Ask them if they are struggling and let them know you want to support them. 
2. Take time to listen without judgment. People who are struggling have a hard time working through their emotions, so if they feel heard, it could change a lot. 
3. Don’t let them keep it a secret. Help come up with a plan to seek help in a way that they feel most comfortable. 

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by dialing 988. denova Collaborative Healthcare provides mental health services within 72 hours. Call 602-230-7373 to be connected with a provider that can help you, whenever, wherever.