September is the month. If you’ve seen purple and teal ribbons popping up on your social feed or noticed buildings lit up in somber colors as summer fades, that’s why. National Suicide Prevention Month—often just called Suicide Awareness Month—takes place every September in the United States and many other parts of the world. It isn't just a placeholder on a calendar. It's a massive, collective push to drag a topic out of the shadows that we, as a society, have spent decades trying to ignore.
It’s heavy. I know.
But here’s the thing: about 49,000 people died by suicide in the U.S. in 2022 alone, according to the CDC. That’s a staggering number. It means we’re losing someone roughly every 11 minutes. When people ask when is suicide awareness month, they’re usually looking for more than a date. They're looking for permission to talk about the "unmentionable."
The Specific Dates You Need to Know
While the whole of September is dedicated to the cause, there are specific "anchor" dates that drive the most activity. World Suicide Prevention Day always falls on September 10th. This is a global effort organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Then you have National Suicide Prevention Week. In the U.S., this typically encompasses the week that includes September 10th. Organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) use this window to flood the zone with resources, "Out of the Darkness" walks, and legislative advocacy. Honestly, the timing is deliberate. As the seasons shift and the days get shorter, many people struggle with seasonal affective disorder or the looming stress of the holidays. September acts as a preemptive strike.
Why September? A Bit of History
You might wonder why September was chosen over, say, the dead of winter. It wasn't arbitrary. The movement really gained steam in the 1970s and 80s as grassroots organizations realized that the stigma surrounding mental health was actually killing people. If you can’t talk about the pain, you can’t treat it.
The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, for example, started in 1994 after the death of Mike Emme, a teenager known for his bright yellow 1968 Ford Mustang. His friends and family began handing out yellow ribbons with the message "It's OK to ask for help." This helped catalyze the idea that specific windows of time could be used to normalize the conversation. Eventually, the federal government and major health bodies solidified September as the official month for these efforts.
The 988 Lifeline: A Modern Turning Point
If we’re talking about Suicide Awareness Month, we have to talk about 988. It’s basically the 911 for mental health. Before July 2022, if you were in a crisis, you had to remember a 10-digit number (1-800-273-8255). That’s a lot to ask of someone in the middle of a panic attack or deep depressive episode.
The transition to 988 was a game-changer. It’s shorter. It’s easier. It works for calls and texts. During September, the marketing for 988 goes into overdrive. According to data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), call volume spiked significantly after the 988 launch, proving that the demand for immediate, low-barrier support was always there—we just needed a better way to connect people to it.
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Common Misconceptions That Kill Progress
We need to get real for a second. There are some dangerous myths that people still circulate, even during awareness months.
One of the biggest? The idea that "talking about suicide will plant the seed in someone’s head."
That is false. Period.
Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests that asking someone directly if they are thinking about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts. In fact, it often does the opposite. It provides a relief valve. It shows them that someone else is brave enough to sit in the dark with them.
Another weird one is the "winter peak" myth. People often think suicide rates are highest in December because of the holidays. Statistically, that’s not true. Rates often peak in the spring and early summer. So, why do we have Suicide Awareness Month in September? Because awareness isn't about the "peak" time; it’s about preparation and education before the winter isolation sets in.
What Does "Awareness" Actually Look Like?
It’s more than just a hashtag or a teal profile picture. True awareness is about learning the warning signs. Experts at the Mayo Clinic and AFSP generally group these into three categories: Talk, Behavior, and Mood.
- Talk: If someone starts talking about being a burden to others, feeling trapped, or having no reason to live, listen. Don't dismiss it as "being dramatic."
- Behavior: Keep an eye out for increased alcohol or drug use, searching for methods online, or giving away prized possessions. That last one is a massive red flag.
- Mood: People might show depression, anxiety, loss of interest, or even a sudden, strange sense of "calm" after a long period of depression (which can sometimes mean they’ve made a plan and feel a sense of relief).
The Role of Language
Words matter. You’ve probably noticed that many experts no longer use the phrase "committed suicide."
Why? Because "committed" usually describes a crime or a sin. You commit larceny. You commit adultery. Since we now understand suicide as a health crisis—often the result of untreated or undertreated mental illness—the preferred terminology is "died by suicide" or "lost their life to suicide." It’s a small shift, but it helps strip away the shame that keeps families from seeking help or talking about their loss.
The Impact on Vulnerable Populations
While suicide affects every demographic, Suicide Awareness Month puts a spotlight on groups that are hit harder. Veterans, for instance, have a suicide rate significantly higher than the general population. The "Be There" campaign specifically targets this community, encouraging veterans to check in on their "battle buddies."
Then there's the LGBTQ+ youth. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ young people are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. For them, awareness isn't a vague concept; it's about finding safe spaces and knowing there are crisis counselors who actually understand their specific lived experience.
Real Tools for Help
If you’re reading this because you’re worried about yourself or someone else, don’t wait for September to end to take action.
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime in the US and Canada.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
- The Trevor Project: Specifically for LGBTQ youth, text START to 678-678.
- Vets4Warriors: A peer-support network for veterans.
Taking Action: Beyond the Ribbon
So, what do you actually do with this information? Honestly, the best way to honor Suicide Awareness Month is to do the "uncomfortable" work.
Check in on that friend who has gone quiet. Don't just say "How are you?" because the default answer is "I'm fine." Try "How are you really doing lately?" and then—this is the hard part—actually listen to the answer without trying to "fix" it immediately.
Learn the QPR method (Question, Persuade, Refer). It’s like CPR but for mental health. You aren't expected to be a therapist. You’re just the bridge between someone in pain and the professional help they need.
Get involved in local walks or donate to organizations like the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). They’re the ones doing the grunt work of funding research into the biological and environmental roots of suicidal ideation.
Finally, take care of your own head. Awareness month is a great time to audit your own mental health. Are you burned out? Are you isolating? Sometimes the person who needs the awareness most is the one looking back at you in the mirror.
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September will end, but the struggle doesn't. Use the month to build the skills you'll need for the other eleven.
Next Steps for Support:
- Save 988 in your phone contacts right now so you don't have to look it up in an emergency.
- Locate a local "Out of the Darkness" walk via the AFSP website to connect with a community of survivors and advocates.
- Research "Mental Health First Aid" courses in your city; many are free or low-cost and provide certification in crisis intervention.
- Review the "S.A.F.E." method (Secure All Firearms and Medications) to reduce access to lethal means in your home if someone is struggling.