National Suicide Prevention Month: What It Means & Why It Matters

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, spreading hope, and sparking meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. And one of the most meaningful actions any of us can take this month isn’t making a donation or a social media post.

It’s having a conversation.

Talking about suicide makes many people uncomfortable. It feels risky, heavy, too uncomfortable, like something best left to professionals. Avoiding the conversation, on the other hand, can leave someone in crisis feeling invisible. This article offers insights into how to have that conversation: what to say, what to watch for, and what to do next.

Why We Need to Talk about Suicide Prevention

About 5.5% of U.S. adults (roughly 1 in 18) had serious thoughts about suicide in 2024. Meanwhile, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. in 2023, and the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 34.

These numbers aren’t meant to alarm. They’re meant to make clear that this is not a rare or distant issue, and certainly isn’t one to be pushed to the background because we may be uncomfortable or fearful of discussing it. The people at risk are in our families, our workplaces, our communities, and they need to know how to find the help they need, when they need it most.

Why People Don’t Bring It Up

Most people who hesitate to ask a loved one about suicide do so out of care, not indifference. We worry about saying the wrong thing or making it worse. Perhaps the biggest concern is the fear that mentioning suicide to someone who may be at risk would plant the idea of it, but research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that asking directly does not increase suicidal thoughts or actions.

What silence does instead is communicate, albeit unintentionally, that the subject is off-limits, that the person’s pain is too much to be spoken aloud. This isolation can deepen the risk rather than protect against it.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Whether a loved one is at risk or you worry you may be, knowing what to look for is vital. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention notes that most people who are considering suicide exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do, and that any new or changed behavior related to a painful event, loss, or change deserves close attention.

Warning signs for suicidal risks include:

Talking about wanting to die
Feeling trapped or hopeless
Expressing they think they are a burden to others
Withdrawing from friends and family
Saying goodbye in situations that don’t warrant emotional farewells
Giving away meaningful possessions
Extreme mood swings, or a sudden unexplained calm after a period of distress
Increased use of drugs or alcohol
Researching methods or making a plan

Research shows that even a single behavioral warning sign should be taken seriously and may warrant immediate action. If something feels off, trust your instincts.

How to Ask a Loved One If They Need Help

If you’re worried about someone, the most important thing you can do is ask. Studies have shown that asking someone if they are feeling suicidal can bring them relief, because it not only shows that someone cares, but that they are also finally acknowledging how badly they’re feeling.

When having the conversation, use direct, plain language. Euphemisms like “have you been having dark thoughts” leave too much room for misinterpretation.

You might say:

“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“I’ve noticed you seem really overwhelmed lately and I’m worried about you. Are you okay?”
“I’m not going to judge you. I just want to understand what’s going on.”

What not to do:

Don’t promise to keep it a secret. If someone is in danger, that promise isn’t one you should keep.
Don’t minimize or problem-solve before listening.
Don’t leave someone alone if you believe they’re in immediate danger.

What to Do If Someone Discloses

If someone tells you they’re thinking about suicide, your job is not to fix it. It’s to stay present and help connect them to professional support. NIMH outlines five action steps:

Ask them if they are having suicidal thoughts and if they need help
Keep Them Safe while help arrives, not leaving them alone
Be There when they need you most
Help Them Connect to valuable, life-saving resources
Follow Up to show that they matter to you

Step 5 matters more than most people realize. Checking in again in the days after the conversation shows that your care wasn’t a one-time gesture.

Crisis resources to have ready:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (free, confidential, 24/7)
Crisis Text Line: text HELLO to 741741
If someone is in immediate danger: call 911

Ongoing Support at Oakwood Counseling

Crisis lines are a critical first resource, but they’re not a substitute for ongoing mental health care. If you or someone you love has been struggling, whether or not it has reached a crisis point, professional counseling can provide a consistent, supportive relationship and the tools to navigate difficult periods before they become emergencies.

At Oakwood Counseling, we work with individuals across the Brazos Valley and throughout Texas via telehealth. If you’re not sure whether counseling is the right next step, a first conversation with one of our providers costs you nothing but a phone call.

Ready to connect with a counselor? Reach out to Oakwood Counseling or call us at (979) 229-7636. If you are in crisis right now, please call or text 988.

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Resources:

SAMHSA / UC Davis HR

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Statistics

NAMI

Suicide Prevention Month

National Institute of Mental Health

Suicide FAQ

NIMH

5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain

Jed Foundation

How to Ask Someone If They’re Thinking About Suicide