September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Month

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness of this urgently important crisis. We use this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

Jump To:

• Crisis Resources
• Download the Toolkit
• Join the Conversation
• Advocate
• Order “You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers”
• Share Key Fast Facts

Crisis Resources

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
• You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
• Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
• Being Prepared for a Crisis
• Read our guide, “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis”
• What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide

Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.

Download the Toolkit

We at NAMI have created this toolkit to support NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates, partners and ambassadors, and other mental health champions in an effort to promote Suicide Prevention Month. We encourage you to use these resources in your own promotion and awareness efforts.

Join us in shifting the mental health culture through conversation. Download our toolkit for more insights and resources on how to spread awareness.

Download Toolkit

Join the Conversation

Throughout September, we invite you to share our messages below or your own about Suicide Prevention Month through the power of courageous community conversations. Help us amplify the message that there is strength in vulnerability.

Don’t forget to tag us at @NAMICommunicate on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) and @NAMI on TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook. And be sure to use the hashtag #SuicidePreventionMonth in your posts.

In every post, please add language or a reply comment providing information to 988. This can include but is not limited to:

• Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor offering support 24/7/365.

Platforms

Weekly/daily activations will be taking place on NAMI’s social media channels. Follow NAMI to tune in, repost, retweet, and share: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube

Hashtag

#SuicidePreventionMonth

URL: nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth

 
Sample Social Media Captions

• If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, immediate help is available. Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor offering support 24/7/365. #SuicidePreventionMonth
• As we share our mental health journeys – the good, the bad, and the ugly – we begin to let down our walls and create safe spaces. Join me in fostering open conversations. #SuicidePreventionMonth
• Let’s create spaces where people can prioritize their mental health, where their voices are heard, where support thrives and flows freely, and where healing can take root. #SuicidePreventionMonth
• It’s #SuicidePreventionMonth – if you are struggling, there are options available to help. Call or text #988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, to speak to someone and get immediate support.
• #SuicidePreventionMonth provides a dedicated time to come together with passion and strength to address this difficult topic. We can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.
• Starting a conversation can help save a life. Studies show people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way. Learn more about how to help support someone you care about through a crisis at nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth.

We encourage you to incorporate these graphics in your social media posts, cover images, website hero images, or existing messaging to help spread awareness during September. High-quality files can be downloaded at the link here.