Op-Ed: Prioritizing mental health during Suicide Awareness Month

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and as we observe this designated month, I can’t help but be reminded of the tremendous impact mental health has on our communities.

Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s one death every 11 minutes. During the same period, 13.2 million people seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million people made a plan for suicide and 1.6 million people attempted suicide.

Each of these statistics represents not just a number but a life—a friend, a family member, a neighbor—who felt they had no other option. As we meditate upon these losses, we must focus on the tools we have available to create hope and healing.

Suicide is certainly not inevitable for anyone. We can take steps toward prevention. It’s important to recognize the warning signs, like if a behavior is new, has increased or seems related to a painful event, loss or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the 988 Lifeline.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The 988 Lifeline provides judgment-free care, recognizing that speaking with someone can help save a life.

The establishment of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been a crucial step forward toward making mental health support accessible to everyone. This three-digit number offers immediate assistance to those in emotional distress and connects individuals to trained professionals who can provide critical support and guidance. For more information, visit 988lifeline.org.

By starting the conversation, providing support and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives. Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others. By offering immediate counseling to everyone who may need it, local crisis centers provide invaluable support at critical times and connect individuals to local services.

Let’s commit to fostering open conversations about mental health and supporting one another—together, we can create a community where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. I encourage anyone who is thinking about suicide to call 988 and get help. Every life is important, meaningful and often unknowingly impactful to the lives of many others.