Suicide Prevention: Know the Warning Signs and How to Help
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness, encourage honest conversations about mental health, and remind people that help is available. Suicide prevention starts with understanding the warning signs, knowing how to respond, and helping people connect with support before a crisis becomes overwhelming.
Most importantly, talking about suicide should not be something we avoid. In fact, research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that asking someone directly about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior. Therefore, a caring conversation can be an important first step toward getting someone help.
Suicide affects individuals, families, workplaces, schools, and entire communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48,824 people died by suicide in the United States in 2024. Suicide remains a leading cause of death, but suicide is preventable, and everyone has a role to play.
Why Suicide Prevention Matters
Suicide rarely results from one single event or circumstance. Instead, several personal, relationship, community, and social factors can affect a person’s risk. Because people respond differently to difficult experiences, a person may be struggling even when others do not recognize it.
Risk can increase with factors such as a previous suicide attempt, depression or other mental health concerns, substance use, financial problems, relationship difficulties, bullying, social isolation, chronic pain, or limited access to health care. However, having one or more risk factors does not mean someone will attempt suicide.
Protective factors matter, too. Strong relationships, supportive friends and family, connection to a community, healthy coping skills, reasons for living, and access to quality behavioral health care can help reduce suicide risk. Therefore, building connection and making treatment easier to access are important parts of suicide prevention.
Know the Warning Signs of Suicide
Warning signs can look different from person to person. Most importantly, pay attention when a behavior is new, has increased recently, or seems out of character.
- Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
- Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, or like there is no reason to live
- Feeling like a burden to family, friends, or others
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Experiencing extreme sadness, anxiety, agitation, anger, or emotional pain
- Increasing their use of alcohol or drugs
- Sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Displaying significant or extreme mood changes
- Taking dangerous or reckless risks
- Giving away important possessions or saying goodbye to people
- Talking about or researching ways to die
These signs do not automatically mean that someone is suicidal. However, they deserve attention, especially when several signs occur together. The National Institute of Mental Health’s warning signs of suicide provides additional guidance for recognizing changes that may indicate someone needs help.
Suicide Prevention: Myths vs. Facts
Unfortunately, myths about suicide can prevent people from getting the support they need. Therefore, knowing the facts can help us respond with compassion instead of judgment.
Myth: Asking someone about suicide will put the idea in their head.
Fact: Asking directly about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior. In fact, asking a caring and direct question can help identify someone who needs support.
Myth: Someone who talks about suicide is simply seeking attention.
Fact: Talk about suicide should always be taken seriously. A person expressing suicidal thoughts may be experiencing severe emotional distress and needs compassion and professional support.
Myth: Someone who has suicidal thoughts will always feel suicidal.
Fact: Suicidal thoughts can change over time. Treatment, support, connection, and appropriate crisis care can help people move through a suicidal crisis and begin recovery.
Myth: Suicide always happens without warning.
Fact: Warning signs can occur before a suicide attempt. However, not every person will show obvious signs. That is why staying connected and creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help is so important.
Myth: If someone suddenly seems happier, they are no longer at risk.
Fact: A sudden change in mood does not necessarily mean that the crisis has ended. Therefore, continue checking in and encourage professional support when concerns remain.
What Can You Do to Help?
You do not need to be a mental health professional to make a difference. In fact, one caring person can help someone take the next step toward safety and treatment.
1. Ask
If you are concerned, ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” It may feel uncomfortable, but an honest question can open the door to an important conversation.
2. Listen
Listen without judgment. Let the person explain what they are experiencing. Most importantly, avoid minimizing their feelings or immediately trying to solve every problem. Sometimes being heard is the first step toward accepting help.
3. Help Keep Them Safe
If someone is in immediate danger, stay with them and help connect them with professional crisis support. When appropriate, reducing access to lethal means can also help create time and distance during a crisis.
4. Help Them Connect
Encourage the person to connect with a mental health professional, doctor, crisis service, trusted family member, or another source of support. Therefore, do not assume that simply telling someone to “get help” is enough. Offer to help make the call, find a provider, or take the next step with them.
5. Follow Up
Keep checking in. A text message, phone call, visit, or invitation to spend time together can remind someone that they matter. Connection is an important part of suicide prevention.
The National Institute of Mental Health’s five action steps summarizes this approach as asking, being there, helping keep someone safe, helping them connect, and following up.
Suicide Prevention Means Reducing Stigma
We can all contribute to suicide prevention by changing the way we talk about mental health. Mental illness is not a character flaw, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
Instead, reaching out for support is an important part of taking care of yourself. Just as we seek medical care for physical health concerns, we should seek professional care when emotional or behavioral health concerns become difficult to manage.
Therefore, talk openly about mental health. Avoid labels and stereotypes. Show compassion to people experiencing depression, substance use, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. Most importantly, let people know that they do not have to face those challenges alone.
*Visit the Anti-Stigma Coalition and Take the Pledge to End Stigma.
You are not alone, and help is available.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service provides free, confidential crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
You can also reach out to BryLin Hospital for help and treatment. Call (716) 886-8200 to speak with someone who can help or visit BryLin.com to learn more about available behavioral health services.
Help Spread Hope This September
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to do more than remember those we have lost. It gives us an opportunity to act.
Learn the warning signs. Start the conversation. Listen without judgment. Encourage treatment. Stay connected. Most importantly, remind the people around you that their lives have value and that help is available.
Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Together, we can reduce stigma, increase awareness, connect people with care, and help create a community where asking for help is a sign of strength.
Additional Suicide Prevention Resources:
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