Suicide Prevention Month
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.
- A Proclamation on World Suicide Prevention Day, 2023
- Statement from HHS Secretary Becerra on National Suicide Awareness Month
- Center for Mental Health Services Director Dr. Anita Everett interview about Suicide Prevention Month
- Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) Short Report Drug-related ED visits involving suicide attempts (PDF | 89 KB)
How You Can Help
Educate yourself and others about suicide prevention: Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to support someone considering suicide, and familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): Each year, the SPRC creates a resource full of ways to get involved in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Here is the resource for 2023 (PDF | 236 KB)!
Read and share SPRC’s new resource: Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth: A Resource Guide for Professionals, Families and Communities.
Read and share this Resource Guide: HOPE: A Guide for Faith Leaders on Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF | 15 MB), developed in partnership by the HHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
Social Media Toolkit
- #SuicidePreventionMonth
- #SPM23
- #BeThe1To
Post Copy - All Platforms: September marks #SuicidePreventionMonth – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts & the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. #SPM23
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Post Copy - All Platforms: It's #SuicidePreventionMonth. Create hope in your family and your community by educating yourself about suicide prevention. Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to support someone considering suicide, and familiarize yourself with the @988Lifeline. #SPM23
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Post Copy - All Platforms: #SuicidePrevention is important every day of the year. #SuicidePreventionMonth allows us to shine a special, encouraging light on this topic that affects us all & send a clear, hopeful message that help is available & suicide can be prevented. #SPM23
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Post Copy - All Platforms: You can help reduce the risk for #suicide in your community. Learn how to talk to someone who is considering suicide with these action steps: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior #SPM23 #SuicidePreventionWeek
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Post Copy - All Platforms: Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. We can all help prevent suicide. Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide. Learn more: samhsa.gov/suicide #WSPD #SPM23
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Post Copy - All Platforms: EVERYONE can play a role in suicide prevention. Know the suicide warning signs and #BeThe1To offer support. Seek help by calling or texting 988 or by chatting http://988Lifeline.org for help #SPM2023
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Post Copy - All Platforms: Learn and share the warning sides of youth suicide during #SuicidePreventionMonth. If someone is showing any of the warning signs, urge them to contact a mental health professional or @988Lifeline. #SPM2023
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Post Copy - All Platforms: Everyone can play a role in #SuicidePrevention. When you start a conversation with a loved one who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, & when you offer support & model self-care, you are providing hope to those who may need it most. #SPM23 #SuicidePreventionWeek
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Post Copy - All Platforms: There is hope. This #SuicidePreventionMonth please help share this message: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org #988Lifeline #SPM23
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Past Events
Time: 1 - 2 p.m. ET
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is hosting its annual #BeThere Twitter chat for Suicide Prevention Month. Panelists will discuss ways everyone can play a role in preventing suicide by being there for those in distress.
Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET
Join SAMHSA and colleagues as we discuss issues related to intersection of mental health and substance use impacts on the lives of young black males and identify resources available to assist and support people seeking recovery or on their pathway to recovery.
Time: 10:30 a.m. ET
Hosted by the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities, the Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.
Time: 2 - 2:30 p.m. ET
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a Facebook Live event for Suicide Prevention Month. The event will focus on strategies for preventing suicide among youth.
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Loss of social contact, loss of loved ones, body betrayal, and increased isolation are common experiences for the elderly and can result in depression and suicidal ideation. This session supports social service providers in contemplating the risk factors and support options for caring for an elder who may be experiencing suicidality. From assessing threats, to addressing means, and engaging the elder in a safety plan, this course will offer both considerations and strategies to increase hope in this population and keep them safe.
Training
Sign up for a QPR Training: If you would like to learn the three simple steps to help save a life from suicide, take a Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training. For more information about QPR: QPR Institute | Practical and Proven Suicide Prevention Training QPR Institute (en-US).