Introduction:

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness about this stigmatized and often taboo topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread vital information to people affected by self-harm, including suicide.

Ways to Get Involved:

• Find resources on The Exchange such as the webinar Closing the Loop: Developing Effective Referral Networks for Youth .
• Read the Surgeon General’s advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health to find ways you and your organization can take action.
• Know the risk factors and warning signs. If a youth in your program shows any of these symptoms, reach out to them with resources for support. If someone indicates or communicates suicidal thoughts or shows behaviors that suggest they may be attempting to hurt themselves, get immediate help from a mental health professional or call 911.
• Use your social media accounts and newsletters to share the suicide crisis line information, and keep this information posted where program participants can see it:
  • 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). This new resource is now active across the United States.
  • The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
  • SAMHSA’s 988 Partner Toolkit can help you learn more about how your organization can promote this new resource.
• Seek additional training through the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.