If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Suicide Prevention Month – September 2025
Each September, NAMI recognizes Suicide Prevention Month as a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.
Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to talk openly about suicide prevention, recognize warning signs, and seek help.
This month: Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.
With one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save lives. Because here’s what we know: No one has to face this alone. Help exists. Healing is possible. And all it can take is for one person to start a conversation.
Jump To:
Download the Toolkit
We at NAMI have created this toolkit to support NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates, partners, and mental health advocates across the country in raising awareness during Suicide Prevention Month.
Use this kit to start conversations that make a difference. Download our toolkit and use these resources in your own promotion and awareness efforts.
Crisis Resources
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
- You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
- Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
- Being Prepared for a Crisis
- Read our guide, “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis”
- What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide
Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.
Join the Conversation
#SuicidePreventionMonth reminds us that talking about suicide isn’t harmful — silence is. One honest conversation can be a turning point in someone’s life. Throughout this month — and beyond — we invite you to share the messages below or create your own about Suicide Prevention Month through the power of courageous community conversations.
Don’t forget to tag us at @NAMICommunicate on Instagram and X and @NAMI on TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook. And be sure to use the hashtag #SuicidePreventionMonth in your posts.
In every post, please add language or reply to a comment providing information to 988. This can include but is not limited to:
Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor offering support 24/7/365.
Platforms
Weekly/daily activations will be taking place on NAMI’s social media channels. Follow NAMI to tune in, repost, retweet, and share: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube
Hashtag
#SuicidePreventionMonth
URL: nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth
Sample Social Media Captions
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is here. 📞 In a crisis? Call/text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7. #988 SuicidePreventionMonth
Opening up about your mental health journey—good, bad, or messy—creates space for healing. Let’s make silence a thing of the past. Start a conversation. Be the difference. #SuicidePreventionMonth
Talking about suicide isn’t harmful — silence is. One honest, caring conversation can save a life. Start a conversation. Be the difference. Learn more at nami.org/spm #SuicidePreventionMonth
#SuicidePreventionMonth reminds us that silence can cost lives — and conversation can save them. Start a conversation. Be the difference. Learn how at nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth.
Studies show people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way. Learn more on how you can support someone through a crisis at nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth.
Social Media Graphics and Templates
From Awareness to Action
Join our movement to advocate for a better mental health care system by signing up for advocacy alerts and taking action when opportunities arise in your community.
- Your advocacy matters to help people in mental health and suicidal crisis! Visit NAMI’s 988 Crisis Response State Legislation Map to learn about advocacy opportunities in your state and across the country.
- Read and share NAMI’s State Legislative Brief on Trends in State Policy: 988 and Reimagining Crisis Response to learn about innovative ways states are improving suicide prevention and crisis services.
- Explore how your community can #ReimagineCrisis. Find advocacy resources and information to build a better mental health and suicide crisis response system for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live.
- Join us in recognizing #988Day on September 8. 988 Day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about 988 and emphasizing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
- Stay up to date on how you can advocate for better suicide prevention and mental health crisis support by signing up for NAMI’s Federal Advocacy Alerts.
Share Key Fast Facts
Individual Impact:
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults (5%) have serious thoughts of suicide each year.
- About 1 person dies by suicide in the U.S. every 11 minutes.
- 79% of all people who die by suicide in the U.S. are male.*
- Although more women* than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by
suicide. - In the U.S., suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 and among people ages 15-24, and the 11th leading cause of death overall.
Community Impact:
Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
- Non-Hispanic Multiracial: 12%
- Non-Hispanic White: 5%
- Hispanic or Latino: 5%
- Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native: 4.7%
- Non-Hispanic Asian: 4.2%
- Non-Hispanic Black: 4%
- Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 2.6%
- Female: 5.5%*
- Male: 4.5%*
- Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 18%
Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide among U.S. youth populations:
- High school students: 20%
- LGBTQ+ high school students: 41%
- LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24: 39%
- Young adults ages 18-25: 12.2%
*Indicates female or male sex assigned at birth
Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources
