Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
This month is a great time to share resources and tools so that you can offer support to those in crisis, change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, and promote healing, help, and giving hope.
Suicide is Preventable
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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.
Here are five things you can do this month 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
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. To register for the FREE upcoming class click here.
4. Attend an Event
September 18, 2021
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Together to Fight Suicide
Out of the Darkness Denver Metro Event
This year there are several 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. If you are in the Denver Metro area the Darkness Event will be on September 18th from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at Coors Field. 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. View the AFPS website for more information on this event!
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
If you or someone you know is in crisis, Colorado Crisis Services is available 24/7/365 by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting TALK to 38255. The crisis walk-in center and withdrawal management program is open at 4643 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.