Suicide Prevention Month: Coming Together in Together, Dignity, Hope, and Purpose

CW: This blog post discusses suicide, statistics, warning signs, and prevention strategies. If you are emotionally distressed, please prioritize self-care and consider reaching out to a support person or call/text 988 which is available 24/7 throughout the US and Canada.

Suicide Prevention Month is recognized each September. At iCarol this month is deeply personal within our company culture and among our individual team members through not only our lived experiences but also because many of us have spent part of our professional careers staffing crisis and suicide prevention helplines. For us, September is a time dedicated to raising awareness, fostering open conversations about mental health, and supporting one another in healing and resilience.

The Prevalence of the Problem

Suicide is a serious public health issue all around the world.

United States

• In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide (14.1 per 100,000 people).
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10–34.
• Rates are highest among older adults, men, Indigenous communities, rural residents, and veterans.

Canada

• 10–12 people die by suicide daily; in 2022 there were 3,593 suicide deaths in Canada (11.0 per 100,000).
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults (15–34).
• Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, people living with disabilities, and those with low income have higher rates of suicidal ideation or attempts.

Worldwide

• Globally, over 720,000 people die by suicide each year—one death every 43 seconds.
• The global suicide rate is 8.9 per 100,000, but rates and causes vary widely across regions and demographics.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 15–29 worldwide.
• Most suicides (about 73%) occur in low and middle-income countries.
• Males die by suicide at rates over twice as high as females; and young people and marginalized communities face increased risk.

Suicide is Preventable

Every single person has a role to play in suicide prevention. In fact, the education and knowledge and willingness to act among the general population, not just medical practitioners and therapists, is key to preventing suicide. It’s often the honest conversations and non-judgmental approach between friends, family, and loved ones that can have the deepest impact.

Aside from regularly and proactively checking in on the mental health of your friends and family, there are clear warning signs that everyone should be aware of. The timely recognition and action toward these warning signs can save lives. According to suicide prevention experts, some key warning signs of suicide are:

• Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden
• Withdrawing from relationships, activities, or suddenly giving away possessions
• Marked changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or personality
• Increased drug/alcohol use, agitation, or reckless behavior
• Expressing severe emotional distress or making final arrangements
• Previous suicide attempts or self-harm

If someone you care about is showing these warning signs, it is okay to ask them directly if they are having thoughts of suicide. Asking directly like this is not going to “put the idea in their head” rather it often brings a sense of relief for the person that someone is there to listen. It’s also important to listen non-judgmentally. It can be difficult to hear that someone is struggling, however common phrases like, “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem” or “You don’t mean that. You don’t want to do that,” can cause a person to withdraw from an open dialogue. Instead, listen and empathize with their feelings.

There are many good evidence-based training programs available that give everyday people the skills to be more suicide-aware, and respond to suicide risk.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

• A 1–2 hour, research-backed program for anyone, teaching how to recognize warning signs, ask direct questions, persuade someone to seek help, and connect them to resources.
• QPR is often compared to CPR for mental health and is accessible online and in-person.
• Core skills: asking about suicide, offering hope, referring to help, challenging myths, and practicing active listening.

safeTALK

• A 3.5–4 hour training that equips participants to identify the signs that someone may be thinking about suicide and connect them to intervention resources.
• Emphasizes “TALK” steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe.
• Highly interactive, available globally (over 20 countries), and ideal for building community networks of “suicide-alert” helpers.

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

• A comprehensive two-day workshop where participants learn how to recognize, intervene, and create collaborative safety plans for those at risk.
• Focuses on direct conversation, assessing risk, and developing individualized plans for safety.
• Available to both professionals and community members; recognized internationally as a “gold standard” in suicide intervention.

Support and Resources

Across the United States and Canada, dialing 9-8-8 will connect you to trained specialists who are there to listen and ultimately connect a person-in-need with resources that can help them. Whether you are the one struggling with thoughts of suicide, or you are concerned about a loved one, calling 988 is a great place to start on a journey towards hope and recovery.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Recovery is possible, and support makes all the difference whether through professional care, training, or the compassion of peers and communities. With knowledge, direct action, and a shared belief in hope, everyone can help save lives and foster resilient, connected communities.

If struggling, please seek help. Reaching out is an act of courage and a step toward healing