Shine a Light on Suicide Prevention logo with lantern and rays of light surrounding HC emblem.

Hope Remembers

Hope Connects

Hope Heals

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

A time to break the silence, support those who are struggling, and honor those we’ve lost.

At Honor Connor, we shine a light on the often-overlooked survivors of suicide loss, who carry both deep grief and a higher risk themselves. By opening conversations, offering resources, and standing together, we can bring light, healing, and hope.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging honest conversations, and supporting mental health across communities. During this month, organizations, advocates, survivors, and families come together to promote education and encourage people to speak openly about mental health.

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month takes place every September, with key dates that highlight the importance of prevention and support:

  • September 8 – 988 Day, raising awareness about the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day, a global day dedicated to prevention and remembrance

 

Throughout the month, events, community walks, educational programs, and storytelling initiatives help bring attention to suicide prevention and mental health support.

By learning the warning signs, sharing resources, and starting compassionate conversations, we can help prevent suicide and offer hope to those who need it most.

At Honor Connor, we focus especially on survivors of suicide loss, individuals and families who carry profound grief and may face increased mental health risks. Through education, connection, and community, we work to reduce stigma and remind people that healing and support are always possible.

If you’re unsure how to begin a conversation with someone who may be struggling, these conversation starters for mental health support  can help make those important discussions feel more natural.

Why Suicide Prevention Month Matters

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, making awareness and education critical.

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month reminds us that:

  • Conversations can save lives
  • Mental health support should be accessible to everyone
  • Stigma around suicide must be challenged

Stories of healing and resilience are powerful tools, and many families who have experienced suicide loss share their journeys to help others feel less alone. By breaking the silence after loss, we’re reminded that grief and healing often coexist.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Suicide

Recognizing the warning signs early can help prevent a crisis. Some common signals may include:

  • Talking about wanting to die or self-harm
  • Withdrawing from friends or family
  • Giving away possessions
  • Sudden mood changes or loss of interest in activities
  • Expressing feelings of hopelessness

Understanding how language shapes conversations about mental health is essential. The words we use when talking about suicide can either reduce stigma or reinforce it, which is why communicating with empathy and awareness matters.

Starting Conversations That Can Save Lives

One of the most powerful actions during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is simply starting a conversation.

Research shows that people experiencing suicidal thoughts often feel relief when someone asks about their feelings in a caring and supportive way.

Meaningful dialogue can begin in everyday settings, during a walk, a car ride, or a quiet moment together. The idea of walking together and talking emphasizes how shared movement can make difficult conversations feel more natural.

Supporting Mental Health Every Day

Suicide prevention is not only about crisis moments. It is also about building resilience, mental wellbeing, and supportive communities.

Practicing compassion toward ourselves and others can make a meaningful difference. Self-care and emotional awareness are essential to strengthening mental health and building resilience. By being kind to your mind and taking intentional steps to support your wellbeing, you create space for greater balance, clarity, and emotional strength.

Take Action With Honor Connor During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention.

During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, you can:

  • Start conversations about mental health
  • Share resources with friends and family
  • Attend community events
  • Support survivors of suicide loss
  • Learn the warning signs and how to respond

By breaking silence, sharing compassion, and supporting one another, we can create a world where no one has to face mental health struggles alone.

Hope begins with connection, and every conversation during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month has the power to save a life.

Featured Blog Post:
Honoring Survivors, Breaking Stigma

During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, personal stories can help break stigma and remind people they are not alone.

In this deeply personal reflection, Lisa Johnson shares her journey after losing her son, Connor, to suicide. She opens up about grief, stigma, and the power of connection, reminding us why standing with survivors is essential to suicide prevention and healing.

Immediate Suicide Prevention Support and Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available right now through the following support resources.

Text HOME to 
741741 
to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
Peer & family mental health support by phone, weekdays M-F 9 am – 5 pm

Mental Health Education and Suicide Prevention Awareness

Learning more about mental health helps us show up with compassion, understanding, and support for the people around us. Education plays an important role in suicide prevention awareness, helping communities recognize risk factors, warning signs, and ways to offer support. Mental health challenges affect millions of people each year in the United States:

21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2022 (52.9 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
0 %
5.6% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2022 (14.2 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.
0 %
16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)
0 %
6.7% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2022 (17 million people)
0 %

Youth

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34

Adults

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.

Veterans & Active Duty Service Members

Nearly 1 in 4 active duty members showed signs of a mental health condition

BIPOC Communities

Among adults with mental health conditions only 31% of blacks and Hispanics and 22% of Asians received services, while 48% of white adults received services.

LGBTQ Communities

40% of transgender adults have attempted suicide in their lifetime, compared to less than 5% of the general U.S. population.

These statistics represent US populations, but no matter where we are in the world, we can learn about our individual experiences by having conversations with those around us.