The beginning of September marks National Suicide Prevention Month. An important protective factor for suicide prevention is connection. This September, we are excited to announce our Here for You campaign, focusing on the importance of connection and support for each other. Throughout this month, we will be sharing what we know about suicide prevention and how we can show up, being “Here for You,” as individuals, communities, and organizations.

We know connections are one of the leading protective factors with mental health and preventing suicide. It’s our connections with others that give us purpose and focus. When we say, “Here for You,” we want everyone to know that there is someone here that cares for them, that they are loved and wanted every day and that we can all be “Here for You” each day, whether we are professionals.

Download our 2024 ‘Here for You’ media toolkit!

Suicide is Preventable

Most people who think about suicide don’t really want to end their life.  They just want relief from the intense emotional pain they’re experiencing, and don’t see workable alternatives to resolve the problem or issue. Most people do NOT really want to die. They simply want to end the pain.

• 94% of people believe that suicide can be prevented at least sometimes.
• 67% of people report they have or have had a mental health condition.
• 60% of adults have familiarity with suicide.
• 2 out of 3 adults believe they don’t have enough knowledge to tell if someone is considering suicide, but 8 out of 10 are open to learning how they can do more to help someone in need.
• Half to three-quarters of adults are comfortable: being there to help a loved one, talking to a clinician when struggling, talking to a friend or loved one when struggling, and discussing suicide with friends and loved ones overall.

Here are five things you can do to promote suicide prevention awareness and make a difference:

1. Learn to Identify the Risk Factors and Warning Signs

• Feeling depressed/hopeless
• Feeling helpless
• History of depression
• Low energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in activities
• Slipping grades or work
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of an important relationship
• Major physical illness
• Previous suicide attempt
• Feelings of isolation and/or withdrawal
• Lack of support
• Unexplained mood improvement
• Sadness/crying
• Change in appetite, sleeping
• Feeling angry or irritable
• Alcohol or drug use
• Feeling guilty for no reason
• Talking or joking about suicide or death
• Giving away possessions
• Careless, high-risk behavior

2. Review Suicide Prevention Tips and Information

Jefferson Center: Suicide Prevention

Man Therapy

Take 5 to Save Lives

3. Participate in a Training

QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer – 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.

4. Attend an Event

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Together to Fight Suicide- Out of the Darkness Denver Metro Event – Saturday, September 14, 2024 (Berkley Lake Park, Denver)

Hope;ink Suicide Semicolon Tattoo Event

Hope;ink serves as a meaningful extension of the broader worldwide initiative, providing a local platform for individuals to “ink” their story, unite in solidarity, and express themselves through the semicolon symbol. For a minimum donation of $50, attendees can choose from a selection of impactful semicolon tattoos. Donation options are available for those unable to attend or who would like to make this experience possible for another individual. All proceeds from this event will benefit Jefferson Center’s programs and services.

There are several other events to join in Colorado. Go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Out of the Darkness page and click on the Events menu. Once on the page click the state drop-down menu, and you will find all of the events for Colorado.

5. Offer Support

• Share tools and resources with others
• Check-in with a friend by phone or text message to see how they are doing
• Send a handwritten card to let someone know you are thinking of them

Mental Health and suicide prevention are more important than ever. We are a strong and resilient community, united in our effort to fight suicide, raise awareness, educate our communities, support those who have lost loved ones, and support those with lived experience. We use our voices and share our stories to provide hope.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, Colorado Crisis Services is available 24/7/365 by calling 988.