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September Is Suicide Prevention Month: A Time to Raise Awareness and Take Action

  • Libby DeKorte
  • Sep 17
  • 4 min read
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Suicide is a devastating loss that ripples through families and communities, leaving lasting heartbreak for those left behind.


Based on data provided by mentalhealth.va.gov: There were 47,891 suicides among U.S. adults in 2022, so on average 131.2 suicide deaths per day. These included 6,407 suicides among veterans. Among Recent Veteran VHA Users whose suicide deaths occured in 2020-2022 and were reported to VHA Suicide Prevention teams, VA Behavioral Health Autopsy Program data indicated that the most frequently identified risk factors were pain (53.8%), sleep problems (51.4%), increased health problems (42.5%), recent declines in physical ability (34.3%), relationship problems (33.1%), hopelessness (30.4%), impulsivity (27.1%), and unsecured firearms in the home (27.1%.)


The U.S. Fire Administration documents an increase for suicide in first responders: “Firefighters and other rescue personnel develop post-traumatic stress at a similar rate to military service members returning from combat, according to an August 2016 study from the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. It reveals that approximately 20 percent of firefighters and paramedics meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress at some point during their careers compared to a 6.8 percent lifetime risk for the general population. The connection between PTSD and traumatizing rescue work is clear.” Emotional pain is debilitating like physical pain. 


Suicide prevention is both a community and national priority. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to the following:

To those who have lost their lives by suicide, 

To those who struggle with thoughts of suicide, 

To those who have made an attempt on their lives, 

To those caring for someone who struggles, 

To those left behind after a death by suicide, 

To those in recovery, and 

To all those who work tirelessly to prevent suicide and suicide attempts in our nation. 


The Call to Action begins by introducing this fact: “In a 2019 national survey, 1.4 million U.S. adults reported attempting suicide in the past year, 3.5 million adults reported making a suicide plan in the past year, and 12 million adults reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.”


Whether you have thought about suicide or have been touched by the loss of suicide, there are others who feel this pain and want to talk to you about what you’re feeling.


The National Institute of Mental Health provides five action steps you can take to help someone who is having thoughts of suicide.


  1. ASK: “Are you thinking about suicide?” It’s not an easy question to ask, but it can help start a conversation. Studies show that asking people  if they are suicidal does not increase suicidal behavior or thoughts.

  2. BE THERE: Listening without judgment is key to learning what the person is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide  may reduce suicidal thoughts.

  3. HELP KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing access to highly lethal items or places can help prevent suicide. Asking the person if they have a plan and making lethal means less available or less deadly can help the person stay safe when suicidal thoughts arise.

  4. HELP THEM CONNECT: Connecting the person with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) and other community resources can give them a safety net when they need it. You can also help them reach out to a trusted family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.

  5. FOLLOW UP: Staying in touch with the person after they have experienced a crisis or been discharged from care can make a difference. Studies show that supportive, ongoing contact  can play an important role in suicide prevention.


You can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for yourself or if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. No matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.


We are attaching resources below for local support focused on veterans and first responders. At New Life K9s, we are doing our part to reduce suicides among veterans and first responders living with PTSD by providing service dogs at no cost to them. Time and again, we’ve witnessed the hope, relationship building, and renewed intentionality for life that comes with the partnership of a service dog. These dogs don’t just provide support—they restore purpose and connection.

We’ve included links below to help you get started on that journey of healing and restoration.



References



U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control. (2023). U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/summit/2023-factsheets/mental-health-and-wellbeing.pdf


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Surgeon General. (2021). The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sprc-call-to-action.pdf [PDF - 290 KB]


5 action steps to help someone having thoughts of suicide. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/5-action-steps-to-help-someone-having-thoughts-of-suicide?utm_campaign=shareNIMH&utm_medium=Portal&utm_source=NIMHwebsite



RESOURCES FOR HELP TODAY

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)Call 1-800-950-6264. Or if you are in a crisis, call or text 988

American Foundation of Suicide PreventionThis suicide prevention site offers resources to assist you during your struggle if you feel like giving up today.


RESOURCES FOR SLO COUNTY VETERANS

San Luis Obispo County Veteran's Support GroupThis support group offers veterans an opportunity to connect with each other and share experiences. It is free to attend, and open to all veterans.Held every Wednesday from 6pm-7:30pm at our Life House Wellness Center at 5850 West Mall Road in Atascadero.For more information please contactCharles Kania at 202-367-2638 or Daniel Sanchez at 805-369-9565 

Military Parents & Friends on the Central CoastA group for parents of members of the military. Parents offer support and information to one another. Meeting with other parents helps them to relieve their anxiety by talking about their children to people who care.Meets the 1st Monday of every month at 6:30pmContact Numbers: 805-234-5547, 805-549-9199, 805-783-4418


HOTLINES AND HELPLINES:


For crisis management, veteran outreach, or information call 1-855-838-5444 or visit website.


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RESOURCES FOR FIRST-RESPONDERS

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OTHER SERVICE DOG ORGANIZATIONS

Other Service Dog OrganizationsIf you do not qualify for one of our service dogs, please click the link to find another organization in your area that may be able to help you.

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SUPPORT FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH: SLO County




 
 
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