September is: Suicide Prevention Month
A call to Care
Suicide, the act of ending one’s life by their own doing, is a devastating tragedy that forever alters lives, families, and communities. It’s currently among the top 8 leading causes of death in the United States.
Alarmingly, suicide rates are increasing among Black women, especially among our younger sisters. We often speak about the stressors we face, but do we recognize the signs? Do we check in when our usually lively friend becomes more withdrawn? Do we notice when a loved one is “randomly” giving away cherished belongings? Do we say something when our partner's substance use suddenly increases?
It’s hard to call out, or call in, our loved ones.
So imagine how hard it must be for them to call on us.
No matter how uncomfortable it feels: do it anyway.
Check in. Notice. Say something. It might save a life.
If You're the One Struggling...
Please, reach out. Asking for help can feel incredibly difficult, I know.
But help is out there, and your life matters.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention offers helpful prompts to guide conversations, especially when the words feel heavy or awkward.
The best way to talk about suicide is honestly, directly, and with compassion.🧡 Ways to Ask for Help
Reach Out:
"When you get a chance, can you contact me? I feel really alone and suicidal, and could use some support."
Contact a Loved One:
"I don’t want to die, but I don’t know how to live. Talking with you might help me feel safe. Are you free to talk?"
Express Your Feelings:
"This is really hard for me to say, but I’m having painful thoughts. It might help to talk. Are you available?"
Check In:
"I’m struggling right now and just need to talk to someone—can we chat?"
Suicide has long been a taboo topic, but it continues to wreak havoc on individuals, families, communities, and the world.
Let’s use Suicide Prevention Month as an opportunity to speak openly, raise awareness, and possibly save a life.
Take care of yourself—and each other.
💬 Resources
📞 Crisis Support
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
Available 24/7 | Languages: English & Spanish
💼 Affordable Therapy (Out-of-Pocket)
Open Path Collective
🌐 Information on Suicide Prevention
International Association for Suicide Prevention
📚 Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Facts about suicide. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
International Association for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Suicidal crisis support. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/
Joseph, V. A., Martínez-Alés, G., Olfson, M., Shaman, J., Gould, M. S., Gimbrone, C., & Keyes, K. M. (2023). Trends in suicide among Black women in the United States, 1999–2020. American Journal of Psychiatry, 180(12), 914–917. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230254
