September is National Suicide Prevention Month
- Posted On:
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call or text 988.
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. We use this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
Throughout the month of September, The National Alliance on Mental Illness will highlight the “Together for Mental Health,” campaign which encourages people to bring their voices together to advocate for better mental health care, including an effective crisis response system. After years of advocacy and preparation, 988 is now available nationwide as the new number to contact for mental health, substance use and suicide crises—a simple, easy-to-remember way for people to get help. This new number will allow people to quickly connect with support during a crisis, 24/7, no matter where they live.
Crisis Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
If you need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.
How To Engage Together For Mental Health
While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength to address difficult topic. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.
Pre-Order NAMI’s First Book: “You Are Not Alone”
“You Are Not Alone,” NAMI’s first ever book, is here to offer help. Written by Dr. Ken Duckworth with the expertise of a leading psychiatrist and the empathy of a family member affected by mental illness, this comprehensive guide includes stories from over 130 people who have been there — including people with mental illness and caregivers — and understand how challenging it can be to find the help you need, when you need it. Their stories are what makes this book different from your typical mental health guide.
The book covers how to get help, pathways to recovery, the intersection of culture and mental health, and many more important topics to guide any person’s mental health journey. NAMI’s hope is that this guide can help people find that key help and support sooner and make recovery more accessible to those trying to find it.
Pre-order your copy of the book today or for bulk purchases, visit Porchlight- You Are Not Alone.
Share Key Fast Facts
These are only a few of the reasons why it’s important to take part in promoting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Please use these facts and others, including the “It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide” infographics on our website, to encourage discussions with your community through social media or other forms of outreach.
Individual Impact:
79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999.
46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.
While nearly half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.
Community Impact:
Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
4.9% of all adults
11.3% of young adults aged 18-25
18.8% of high school students
45% of lesbian, gay and bisexual high school students
The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities.
Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.
Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources.
Blogs And Personal Stories
Blogs
Personal Stories
Advocate
Join the movement to advocate for a better mental health care system by taking action when opportunities arise in your community. No act of advocacy is too small!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Campbell County Health’s Behavioral Health Services at 307-688-5000 or at one of the options below for more information on mental health issues and suicide prevention.
Behavioral Health Services’ Crisis Line at 307-688-5555 is answered after business hours, on weekends and holidays. Located on the 5th floor of Campbell County Memorial Hospital, BHS offers inpatient and outpatient mental health and counseling services .
Call or text, 988, the new three-digit dialing code to route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. When people call, text, or chat 988, they are connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number at 800-273-8255.
