Since 2008, the month of September has been declared National Suicide Prevention Month—where time is taken to acknowledge those who have been affected by suicide and to raise awareness for individuals still struggling with suicidal ideation. According to the CDC, over 49,000 people have died by suicide since 2022 and another 13.2 million have seriously thought about suicide. Suicide rates increased 27% between 2000-2018 and decreased by 5% between 2018-2020. However, rates returned to their peak in 2022 according to the CDC.
Peachjar has compiled a list of helpful resourcesfor suicide prevention for parents and guardians, children, and educators below.
SAMHSA
Suicide Prevention Resource Center - The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. SPRC is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
CDC - CDC partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other federal agencies to create the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the Federal Action Plan. This strategy provides a roadmap for tackling the ongoing public health crisis of suicide.
988 Lifeline - 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Veterans, press 1 when calling.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
National Institute of Mental Health - The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).