Suicide Prevention and Awareness

Hope, Awareness, and the Power to Rise Up and G.L.O.W

A solemn black book titled 'Suicide' is accompanied by a delicate arrangement of purple flowers, creating a poignant and reflective image.

The Importance of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide, promoting mental health, and supporting those who may be struggling. Every year, millions of people come together to share resources, stories, and hope. By learning more about the warning signs and strategies for prevention, we can all play a part in saving lives and fostering a culture of compassion and understanding (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention [AFSP], n.d.).

Facts About Suicide: Key Statistics and Risk Factors

Suicide is a complex public health issue that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, n.d.), in the United States, suicide is the twelfth leading cause of death overall, with over 45,000 deaths annually. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023) estimates that over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, making it a significant concern worldwide.

Between the years 2000 and 2018, suicide rates increased by 37%. Although the suicide rates decreased between 2018 and 2020, they returned to their peak in 2022 (CDS, n.d.).  Additionally, approximately 12 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a suicide plan, and 1.5 million attempted suicide (AFSP, n.d.).

Warning Signs:

·       Talking about wanting to die

·        Feeling hopeless or trapped

·       Withdrawing from loved ones

·       Significant changes in mood or behavior.

Risk Factors:

·       Mental health conditions (such as depression or anxiety)

·        Substance use

·       Previous suicide attempts

·        Loss or trauma

·       Lack of social support.

It's vital to recognize these signs and risk factors so we can offer support or seek help when needed (WHO, 2023).

Prevention Strategies: How You Can Help

1.       Listen and Reach Out: Be available to listen nonjudgmentally if someone shares their struggles. Show empathy and understanding.

2.       Encourage Professional Help: Suggest consulting mental health professionals, counselors, or support groups.

3.       Stay Connected: Maintain regular contact with friends and family, especially if they are going through a tough time.

4.       Share Resources: Let others know about national helplines, local mental health organizations, and online support communities.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

Seeking additional tools and resources that can support healing and awareness? Check out this curated Amazon list of resources on suicide prevention and mental health. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Conclusion: Encouragement and Call to Action

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month reminds us that hope is real, help is available, and every life matters. Reach out, check in, and support one another—you never know whose life you may touch. If you or someone close to you is struggling, remember that you are not alone. Together, we can rise up and GLOW—grow, love, overcome, and win against despair. Spread awareness, share resources, and be the light someone may need today.

For immediate support: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

📚 You can also explore a selection of helpful reads on resilience, healing, and suicide prevention here: Amazon Suicide Prevention Resource

Your story matters. You matter.

✨ Echoes From the Other Side (Poem)

I tried and I tried over and over again

To live this thing called life, but she wasn’t my friend.

She was more like a frenemy, cruel and mean,

She tried to make me believe in false hopes and dreams.

She said I could be anything I wanted to be,

But the truth of survival kept strangling me.

Two jobs, sometimes three, just to get by,

Working all night while the world closed its eyes.

Dragging my body from shift to shift,

Praying the struggle would somehow lift.

The rent is overdue, the nights are growing cold,

Good memories slipping away, dreams being sold.

Society measured my worth by the color they see,

Expecting perfection, demanding from me.

Climbing a mountain, no strength left to spare,

Carrying burdens too heavy to bear.

So I found my escape in a bottle or plate,

Eating to numb, drinking alcohol to sedate.

But comfort was fleeting, a temporary friend,

A cycle that broke me again and again.

I wore the mask daily, kept my pain out of view,

Pretending I was fine when I knew it wasn’t true.

My struggle was endless, the cost was too high,

So I decided to say my final goodbye and die by suicide.

From this side of silence, I finally know,

My friends and my family still needed me so.

Their cries cut deeper than I ever believed,

Proving I mattered more than I perceived.

So if you are weary, don’t give in,

This battle is hard, but fight till the end.

Hold tight to tomorrow, let new hope begin—

Rise up and G.L.O.W.—Grow, Love, Overcome, and Win.

— Written by Dr. Shakeena Speller

About the Author

Dr. Shakeena Speller serves as the Clinical Director at  Rise Up Counseling & Consulting PLLC. She is a licensed therapist, addiction specialist, and life coach committed to helping individuals overcome life’s challenges and rediscover their purpose. By offering compassionate care, practical tools, and fostering growth, Dr. Speller helps her clients to heal, flourish, and evolve. Her core mission is clear: to support others in uncovering their inner strength, recognizing their worth, and stepping into the fullest version of themselves.