Ask almost anyone about suicide and you will likely find that they have been personally affected by the loss – or near loss – of a loved one. Perhaps not surprising given the statistics. In 2022 alone, more than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide, the largest number ever registered (PDF | 440 KB) in this country. That means one death every 11 minutes. And sadly, there are millions more Americans who have thought about or attempted suicide.
Experiencing a suicidal crisis or losing a loved one to suicide can have a negative impact on families, friends, carers and communities. And while this urgent public health issue affects all ages and generations, it is particularly devastating for young people, who have reported rising rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions in recent years. It is important to note that mental health conditions alone do not mean that a young person will experience suicidal thoughts. On the contrary, a range of risk and protective factors – at the individual, relationship, community and societal levels – can influence suicide risk.
September marks Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, recognize the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities affected by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope. It is time to embrace the message: “No judgement. Just Help.”
The state of youth suicide
There has never been a more critical time to focus on suicide prevention among teenagers and young adults. According to recently released data from SAMHSA (PDF | 2.6 MB), youth ages 12-17 and young adults ages 18-25 have the highest rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts of all age groups. CDC data (PDF | 3.6 MB)meanwhile, it reveals that in 2023, 4 in 10 high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
There are differences in these trends, with disproportionate rates among certain racial and ethnic minority and LGBTQI+ populations. For example, between 2018 and 2021, Suicide rates rose rapidly (PDF | 13.4 MB) nearly 37 percent among black youth ages 10-24; We know that social and environmental factors can be the main drivers of these inequalities. historically marginalized groups face unique challenges, and it is important to understand these factors in order to develop effective strategies and interventions.
Community-based prevention, enhanced treatment and crisis services, accessible and timely data, and health equity are key pillars in National Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2024 (PDF | 13.4 MB) and first Federal Action Plan (PDF | 8.3 MB) was released by the US Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year to guide the nation’s suicide prevention efforts over the next decade. Among the goals outlined in the strategy: creating an equitable and diverse suicide prevention workforce to address the needs of the communities they serve, as well as a focus on suicide prevention that addresses social determinants of health and emphasizes effective youth, peer – and community interventions.
SAMHSA’s commitment to suicide prevention efforts
SAMHSA is committed to efforts to address suicide – improving access to suicide prevention and mental health services is one of our strategic priorities (PDF | 2.3 MB) and underpins much of the work we do. This includes reducing barriers to quality care for underserved communities.
Accordingly, SAMHSA supports a comprehensive portfolio of suicide prevention programs and resources, including the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide Prevention, GLS Campus Suicide Prevention, and Zero Suicide grant programs, and SAMHSA-sponsored Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), which provides information and resources—such as a Best Practice Registry, an online library, and online trainings—for individuals, health care systems, workplaces, and others to help them cope with suicide. Another SAMHSA grant program – Native Connections – helps American Indian and Alaska Native communities address the behavioral health needs of youth, including efforts to reduce suicidal behavior and substance use among Native youth and young adults up to age 24 .
In response to concerns about rising suicide rates among Black youth, SAMHSA created a 2022 Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative to help develop and implement prevention strategies. Next activities include the convening of two policy academies, one in 2023 and the other in 2024, which brought together a total of 16 state groups to create specific plans to implement policies and strategies to reduce black youth suicide in their communities. .
Historical investments in SAMHSA’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline they are also a central part of our suicide prevention strategy and help reach at-risk populations. 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the United States. Over the past two years, 988 trained Lifeline counselors have answered more than 10 million calls, texts and chats. There are also specialized services for Veterans (via the Veterans Crisis Line) as well as LGBTQI+ youth and young adults.
Because we know that establishing a foundation for good mental health early can support a person’s overall health and well-being throughout their life, SAMHSA funds a range of youth and early childhood mental health programs to help children set children on a positive mental health path. With these and many other efforts, we hope that people at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be able to access the evidence-based support and services they need.
What you can do to prevent suicide
Suicide can be prevented. And it’s important to emphasize that help is available and recovery is possible. This Suicide Prevention Month, and throughout the year, we encourage you to join the conversation and help raise awareness about the importance of suicide prevention. This may involve educating yourself or others about it warning signs suicidal, seeking help for a loved one who is showing signs of distress, or simply providing support to someone who may need it. For example, just as you might leave a pot to help someone undergoing cancer treatment, consider a similar act of kindness to support someone who has attempted suicide or who has expressed suicidal thoughts. Showing empathy and being there for someone in a time of crisis can make a significant – and even life-saving – difference.
If you are a parent or carer or teacher or coach who is concerned about a young person who may be at risk of suicide, don’t be afraid to start a conversation with them. It is important to ask how they are feeling and if they have any concerns. You can start by simply asking, “Are you okay?” Listen carefully and without judgment – and offer validation and support. If you are concerned, ask the person directly about the suicide. It will not increase the risk or plant the idea. Instead, it will create an opportunity to offer support and let them know you care enough to have the conversation. For more information, the Jed Foundation and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention* Both provide conversation tips on how to talk to someone who may be thinking about suicide.
SAMHSA has resources aimed at helping parents and caregivers talk to young people, while SPRC offers tools aimed at how schools and educators can play a role for student safety. There is also a new collection of resources for parents and carers to protect young people’s online health and safety. This comes in response to concerns about the negative impact of digital technology on young people’s mental health.
There are many other things you can do to observe Suicide Prevention Month this September and every day of the year, including:
- Visit SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Month webpage to learn about resources and events that can support your prevention efforts. For example, SAMHSA will be hosting several webinars for partners and grantees in September. details of any virtual events open to the public will be available on this webpage.
- Please read and share it 2024 National Suicide Prevention Strategy and Federal Action Plan.
- Join suicide prevention efforts in yours state, territory, tribe or local community. And if there isn’t already a partnership, coalition, or other group in your community, you can help start one.
- Familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
- 988 Day is September 8th, providing an opportunity to generate positive buzz around 988 and its related resources. This could be as simple as using the hashtag #988day to share your activities and how you are promoting awareness for 988, by planning activities with the message “No Judgment. Just Help.”
- Volunteer at a crisis center.
- Support someone with lived experience suicide loss or a suicide attempt.
And remember that 5 action steps that can save a life – and share them with others.
- Please.
- Be there.
- Help keep them safe.
- Help them connect.
- Follow up.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to nurture. We all have a role to play in showing compassion and supporting each other when we’re struggling — and together, we can make a difference in someone’s life by learning how to support those who are thinking about suicide. Let’s carry the lessons of Suicide Prevention Month throughout the year. No matter your role—whether it’s starting the conversation, offering hope, or directing those in need to help—these are strategies that can help save lives.
*The Jed Foundation and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are leading national non-profit organizations focused on suicide prevention, and the featured resources provide valuable information on how to communicate with someone who is thinking about suicide.
SAMHSA Resources
