September is National Suicide Prevention Month
September is an important time to reflect on the steps we can all take to support mental health and prevent suicide. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder to educate ourselves and our communities about the warning signs of suicide, risk factors, and available resources. Spreading awareness helps reduce stigma and encourages open conversations about mental health, empowering people to seek help when needed. According to the CDC, there were over 49,000 suicide deaths in 2022, equating to about one every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In that same year, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for ages 10-64 and the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and 25-34. Certain racial/ethnic groups, like non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White people, have higher suicide rates. Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual have a higher prevalence of suicidal t