September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time for each of us to reach out to those around us and take steps to prevent suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s theme for the month is: “Together, we can help #StopSuicide.”
Suicide prevention is important to me because in 2012, I became a loss survivor. I lost my boyfriend. As a current social worker working for a crisis hotline, this issue has become more and more apparent in recent years, with younger and younger youth being taken from us. We must all come together to prevent it!
One action I’m taking this month to help #StopSuicide is contacting my public officials and urging them to prioritize funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and our local crisis call centers.
In July 2022, the new 988 number will be fully operational as the universal phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This easy-to-remember three-digit number will increase access to vital mental health and suicide crisis supports. Calls are also projected to increase substantially when the 988 number goes fully live.
Now is the time to provide the funding to support our local crisis centers to meet the needs of more 988 callers. Together, we can ensure that everyone in crisis has access to care should they need it.
