Every September, we pause to recognize Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And while it’s a month marked by ribbons, campaigns, and hashtags, the truth is that suicide prevention is not a one-month-a-year responsibility. It is a year-round, everyday effort.

It is about the conversations we’re willing to have, the myths we’re willing to challenge, and the ways we support the people we love. And here’s the most important part: you don’t have to be a professional to make a difference.

Why Suicide Prevention Matters

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2022, more than 49,000 people died by suicide. That’s the highest number ever recorded in the country. That’s one person every 11 minutes. Globally, nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year, making it a leading cause of death worldwide.

Here are a few more statistics that shed light on this crisis:

• For every death, there are an estimated 25 suicide attempts.
  
• Men die by suicide nearly 4 times more often than women, though women attempt more often.
  
• Firearms are the most common means of suicide in the U.S., involved in 55% of deaths in 2023.
  
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10–34.
  
• Certain populations carry disproportionately higher risk, including veterans, Native communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
  

These numbers are not just statistics. They represent real lives: fathers, mothers, children, friends, coworkers; people with dreams and relationships, people whose pain became overwhelming.

Myths About Suicide That Keep Us Silent and the Truths That Can Save Lives

We can’t fight what we don’t understand. Too many dangerous myths about suicide still circulate and they keep people from asking for help or reaching out when it matters most. Let’s break down some of the biggest ones.

Myth #1: Talking about suicide will “give someone the idea.”
Truth: Research shows the exact opposite. Asking directly about suicide can actually lower risk, because it reduces secrecy and shows the person they don’t have to carry that thought alone. The relief of being able to talk openly is powerful.

Myth #2: If someone is talking about suicide, they’re just looking for attention.
Truth: If someone is talking about suicide, take it seriously every single time. This is never “attention-seeking.” It’s connection-seeking. People often talk about suicide when they are in deep pain and don’t know how else to express it. Brushing it off can reinforce hopelessness; listening and supporting can create safety.

Myth #3: People who attempt suicide are “selfish” or “weak.”
Truth: Suicide is not a moral failing. It’s the result of overwhelming pain and despair. Many who die by suicide believe they are a burden to others. Compassion, not judgment, is the response that saves lives.

Myth #4: If someone has decided to die, nothing will change their mind.
Truth: Most people experiencing suicidal crises are deeply ambivalent. They don’t necessarily want to die; they want the pain to stop. If given support, many find reasons to live and survive the crisis. In fact, research shows that 90% of people who survive an attempt do not go on to die by suicide.

Myth #5: Only people with mental illness die by suicide.
Truth: While conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use increase risk, suicide is not limited to mental illness. Stressful life events like divorce, job loss, financial stress, chronic illness, and bullying can all trigger a crisis. Reducing suicide means addressing both mental health and the social challenges people face.

Myth #6: Asking someone about suicide will make them angry.
Truth: Some people may feel surprised or even uncomfortable at first, but most feel relieved. It tells them you care enough to ask the hardest question. Even if the answer is “no,” you’ve opened the door for future honesty.

What Works: Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention

Now let’s move from myths to actionable steps, supported by research.

1. Ask Directly and Without Fear

One of the most powerful tools we have is simply asking the question:  “Are you thinking about suicide?”

Studies show that asking directly does not increase risk, in fact, it decreases it. It signals that you are safe to talk to, that you won’t judge, and that you care enough to ask.

2. Make the Environment Safer

Access to lethal means is one of the strongest predictors of suicide completion. This is why “means safety” is such an important prevention strategy.

• Firearms: Store guns unloaded, locked, and separately from ammunition. During a crisis, consider temporary off-site storage.
  
• Medications: Keep them in a locked cabinet. Dispose of unused prescriptions properly.
  
• Alcohol & drugs: Limit access, as intoxication greatly increases impulsivity and risk.
  

Even small environmental barriers can make a huge difference because suicidal crises are often brief. Creating that pause saves lives.

3. The Critical Window After a Crisis

Here’s something most people don’t know: the period immediately after psychiatric hospitalization is the highest-risk time.

In the first week after discharge, suicide risk can be hundreds of times higher than in the general population. This is when follow-up care and consistent check-ins make the biggest difference.

• Phone calls, text messages, and letters of support have been shown to cut repeat attempts by up to 36%.
  
• Therapy after a suicide attempt reduces long-term risk significantly. In one study, just 6–10 sessions lowered suicide rates by 26% over five years.
  

So if you know someone coming out of a hospital stay, rehab, or crisis program—don’t assume they’re “better” just because they were discharged. That’s when they need steady, compassionate presence the most.

4. Support Therapy and Long-Term Care

Recovery is not linear, and it doesn’t end when the crisis passes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are both evidence-based approaches that reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Medication management can also help, especially for mood disorders and anxiety.

But here’s what often matters just as much: consistent follow-up. Encouraging a friend or family member to keep therapy appointments, offering rides, or just checking in afterward can help them stay engaged in treatment.

5. System-Level Solutions: The Zero Suicide Model

It’s not just about individuals, it’s also about systems. The Zero Suicide Model, implemented in healthcare organizations like Henry Ford Health and Kaiser Permanente, has shown powerful results:

• 25% reductions in suicide attempts and deaths in some systems.
  
• Structured protocols that include universal screening, safety planning, lethal means counseling, and follow-up care.
  

This proves that when healthcare systems take suicide prevention seriously, lives are saved. You can advocate for these approaches in your local hospitals, schools, or clinics.

What You Can Do Today to Prevent Suicide

Suicide prevention may sound daunting, but remember: it starts with simple, human actions.

Here are steps you can take right now:

1. Save 988 in your phone. This is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
   
2. Reach out to someone today. A quick “thinking of you” text can interrupt isolation.
   
3. Practice asking the hard question. Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis moment—get comfortable saying, “Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”
   
4. Learn about safety planning. This is a step-by-step plan (developed with a therapist or support professional).
   

Each of these steps may feel small, but together they create a powerful safety net. Suicide prevention isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about showing up with care, consistency, and courage.

When you reach out, ask the hard questions, and encourage safety planning, you are helping to break the silence and replace it with connection. Your actions matter more than you know — and they might be the reason someone chooses to hold on for another day.