September: National Suicide Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, sharing resources, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Key dates in September:

September 8, 988 Day: which is a day of action to promote the Suicide & Crisis lifeline.

If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is available.

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, their caring counselors are there for you. You are not alone.

September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day: this day focuses on global education and directing treatment.

Throughout the month, mental health advocates, suicide prevention organizations, survivors of suicide loss, people with lived experience, and community members across the country come together to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share a powerful reminder that there are actions we can all take to look out for one another.

You can be a suicide prevention advocate. there is a toolkit available to use at https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-month

QPR Saves Lives

Question. Persuade. Refer.

What is QPR?

Think of QPR as CPR for suicidal ideation. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer: three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. You do not have to be a medical or mental health professional to help save someone’s life. Learn the warning signs and how to actively respond to a person in crisis.

It takes less than an hour, and it's entirely free for all Kentuckians.

Learn how to prevent suicide with QPR, entirely free for all Kentuckians.

  • More than 720,000 people die by suicide each year — more than all wars and homicides combined (World Health Organization).

  • There is one suicide death every 43 seconds, or 15 people every 10 minutes.

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in Kentucky, and it's the 13th leading cause of death in the Commonwealth overall.


Emily Browning