In September, Get Involved for Suicide Prevention Awareness

In September, we recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Suicide Prevention Week (September 9–15), and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). To promote awareness about suicide prevention this month, EDC offers the following actions, resources, and events.

“Knowledge alone is not enough,” says Elly Stout, director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). “Raise awareness, but then tell people what they can do to help prevent suicide.”

Stay Informed, Take Action

• Check out Suicide Prevention Month: Ideas for Action, a resource sheet developed by SPRC with ideas to help anyone, anywhere, get involved.
• Support the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and its partners’ collective messaging effort, which focuses on the importance of being there for those who are struggling.
• Promote the Twitter hashtag #BeThere when pushing out messages about the role the public has in being there for others
• Show your commitment by joining our partner page
• Join the Action Alliance’s Thunderclap campaign to educate your social media followers about #BeThere
• Invite faith communities to join the Action Alliance’s second annual National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life, a national movement that brings the faith community together the second weekend of September (Sept. 7–9) to break the silence around suicide and help all who struggle.
• Watch the National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life video
• Pledge to show your commitment to participating in this national movement
• Promote the observance widely among your various channels and community partners
• Follow us on Twitter (EDC, SPRC, and Action Alliance) throughout the month for ideas and activities.
• View SPRC SPARK Talks, video interviews with suicide prevention experts on topics such as working with Native populations and LGBTQ youth and engaging suicide attempt survivors in prevention efforts.
• Sign up for the Weekly Spark, SPRC’s e-newsletter, to stay informed long after September ends.

  Additional events and resources can be found at the SPRC and the Action Alliance websites.

  Learn more about EDC’s work in suicide prevention.