September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness, reducing stigma, encouraging meaningful conversations, and reminding people that help is available.
Suicide is a difficult subject to discuss, but avoiding the subject does not make the risk disappear. Families, friends, coworkers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and communities can all play a role in recognizing when someone may be struggling and helping that person connect with appropriate support.
Perhaps one of the most important messages this month is simple: you do not have to be a mental health professional to start a potentially life-saving conversation.
Suicide in the United States: Understanding the Numbers
Suicide remains a major public health concern in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48,824 people died by suicide in the United States in 2024. Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death nationally that year, with an age-adjusted suicide death rate of approximately 13.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
Deaths represent only one part of the problem.
In 2024, among U.S. adults:
14.3 million people — approximately 5.5% of adults — seriously considered suicide.
4.6 million — approximately 1.8% — made a suicide plan.
2.2 million — approximately 0.8% — reported attempting suicide during the previous year.
The prevalence of suicidal thoughts also varies substantially by age. In 2024, approximately 12.6% of adults ages 18–25 reported serious thoughts of suicide during the previous year. Among adults ages 26–49, the figure was 6.1%, while among adults age 50 and older it was 2.9%.
At the same time, suicide deaths are not limited to younger people. CDC data show that adults age 80 and older had the highest suicide death rate of any age group in 2024.
There are also important differences between men and women. In 2024, the suicide death rate among males was nearly four times the rate among females.
Among younger Americans, suicide remains particularly concerning. In 2023, it was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10–14, 15–24, and 25–44.
These statistics illustrate an important reality: suicidal thoughts can affect people across virtually every age, profession, background, and stage of life.
Suicide Is Usually More Complex Than One Event
Suicide rarely has one single cause.
Risk can involve a combination of psychological, biological, interpersonal, social, environmental, and situational factors. Depression and other mental health disorders can increase risk, but not everyone experiencing suicidal thoughts has a diagnosed mental health condition.
Major losses, relationship problems, chronic pain, serious illness, financial difficulties, substance use, trauma, isolation, legal problems, bullying, occupational stress, feelings of hopelessness, or a perceived loss of purpose may also contribute to a crisis.
This is why changes in a person’s behavior should be considered in context, particularly when those changes are new, escalating, or occur after a painful event, loss, or major life transition.
Warning Signs: What Should Families and Friends Look For?
There is no single behavior that proves someone is considering suicide. However, certain changes deserve attention—especially when several occur together.
A person may begin talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, worthless, guilty, ashamed, or like a burden to other people. They may say that there is no reason to live or begin talking frequently about death.
Behavior may also change. Someone may suddenly withdraw from family and friends, stop participating in activities they previously enjoyed, begin saying unusual goodbyes, give away meaningful possessions, put personal affairs in order, increase alcohol or drug use, engage in unusually reckless behavior, or experience significant changes in sleeping or eating.
Extreme mood changes can also be significant. A person who has been extremely distressed may become unusually calm, detached, angry, agitated, or emotionally different.
One particularly serious warning sign is actively making preparations or developing a suicide plan.
It is important not to dismiss statements about suicide as someone being “dramatic” or “looking for attention.” The National Institute of Mental Health advises that all talk about suicide should be taken seriously.
The Conversation Many People Are Afraid to Have
One of the biggest misconceptions about suicide is that asking someone about it might “put the idea in their head.”
Research does not support that belief.
Asking a person directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts or suicidal behavior. In fact, asking directly can create an opportunity for someone who has been suffering silently to tell the truth about what they are experiencing.
Rather than asking only:
“Are you okay?”
consider asking more specific questions:
“I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. How are you really doing?”
“You’ve said that things feel hopeless. Can you tell me more about what you’re feeling?”
And when there is genuine concern, ask directly:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
If the answer is yes, remain calm.
The purpose of the conversation is not to immediately solve every problem. It is to understand what the person is experiencing, determine whether immediate danger exists, and help connect them with support.
What to Do When Someone May Be Suicidal
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends five core actions: Ask, Be There, Help Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, and Follow Up.
- Ask directly. If you are concerned, ask whether the person is thinking about suicide. Avoid vague language. Asking clearly can make it easier for someone to answer honestly.
- Listen without judgment. Give the person space to speak. Avoid arguing, lecturing, minimizing what they are experiencing, telling them how fortunate they are, or immediately trying to “fix” everything. Statements such as “You have so much to live for” may be well-intended but can make someone feel less understood. Instead, acknowledge their distress: “I’m glad you told me. I’m here with you, and we’re going to get you support.”
- Determine whether immediate danger is present and help keep the person safe. If someone has expressed an intention to act on suicidal thoughts or appears to be in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Reduce access to potentially lethal means when this can be done safely, and obtain crisis or emergency assistance. Do not agree to keep suicidal intentions secret.
- Connect them with help. This may include a licensed mental health professional, physician, trusted family member, crisis counselor, or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can sit with the person while they make the call or send the text rather than simply giving them a number and walking away.
- Follow up. A supportive conversation should not end when the immediate crisis appears to have passed. Check in the following day, later that week, and in the weeks ahead. Continued connection can be an important part of suicide prevention.
What Not to Say
People sometimes respond to a suicidal disclosure with reassurance that unintentionally minimizes the person’s distress.
Avoid statements such as:
“Other people have it worse.”
“You would never actually do that.”
“Think about what this would do to your family.”
“You just need to stay positive.”
“Everything will be fine.”
Instead, communicate presence and concern.
“I may not completely understand what you’re experiencing, but I want to understand.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“You don’t have to handle this by yourself.”
“I’m staying with you while we find someone who can help.”
Listening does not mean agreeing with hopeless thoughts. It means giving the person enough emotional safety to speak honestly about them.
Pay Attention to Changes, Not Just Words
Not everyone who is suicidal will openly say, “I want to die.”
Sometimes the warning appears indirectly:
“Everyone would be better without me.”
“I can’t do this anymore.”
“There’s no way out.”
“Nothing is ever going to change.”
“You won’t have to worry about me much longer.”
Other people may communicate primarily through behavior rather than words.
A teenager may suddenly isolate themselves or stop caring about school, friends, sports, or activities.
An adult may begin missing work, withdrawing socially, using more alcohol, or expressing unusual hopelessness about finances or relationships.
An older adult may become increasingly isolated following illness, chronic pain, bereavement, loss of independence, or major life changes.
The important question is often not simply “Is this behavior unusual?” but “Is this a meaningful change from this person’s normal behavior?”
Parents: Talk About Mental Health Before There Is a Crisis
Parents should not wait until they suspect suicide to discuss emotional health with their children.
Regular conversations about stress, anxiety, depression, friendships, school pressures, relationships, social media, bullying, sleep, substance use, and self-esteem can make future conversations easier.
Instead of immediately offering solutions, ask open-ended questions:
“What’s been the hardest part of this week?”
“When you feel overwhelmed, who do you feel comfortable talking to?”
“What has been stressing you lately?”
“Do you ever feel like things are too much or that you wish you could disappear?”
Creating a family environment in which distress can be discussed openly may make it easier for a child or teenager to ask for help before reaching a crisis point.
Prevention Also Happens Before a Crisis
Suicide prevention is not limited to emergency intervention.
Treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, substance-use problems, and other mental health conditions can be an important component of prevention.
So can strengthening social connection, developing healthy coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, reducing isolation, addressing chronic stress, treating sleep problems, building supportive relationships, and helping people reconnect with purpose and meaningful activities.
Professional counseling can provide a confidential environment in which individuals can explore painful emotions, recognize patterns, develop coping strategies, and work toward longer-term psychological health.
Seeking help does not require someone to wait until their situation becomes unbearable.
Early support matters.
When the Situation Is an Emergency
If someone says they intend to kill themselves, appears to be preparing to act, has made an attempt, or is otherwise in immediate danger, treat the situation as an emergency.
In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Do not leave a person who is in immediate danger alone, and do not promise to keep suicidal intentions secret.
A Conversation Can Be the Beginning of Help
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is an opportunity to talk about something that too often remains hidden.
We cannot always know exactly what another person is experiencing. We can, however, notice changes. We can ask questions. We can listen without judgment. We can take concerning statements seriously. And we can help someone connect with professional support.
You do not need to have the perfect words.
Sometimes the most important words are simply:
“I’ve noticed you’re struggling. I’m concerned about you. I’m here, and I want to help.”
At New Mentality, we believe mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. Our team provides counseling and mental-health services designed to help children, adolescents, and adults better understand and address emotional and psychological challenges.
If you or someone you care about has been struggling, reaching out for professional support can be an important next step.
New Mentality
704-799-1270
In a crisis: Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For an immediate life-threatening emergency: Call 911.
This article is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, crisis assessment, or individualized advice from a licensed healthcare professional.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Suicide Data and Statistics, updated May 2026.
CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Mortality in the United States, 2024, published January 2026.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Warning Signs of Suicide and 5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Warning Signs and Help Someone Else.
