Suicide Prevention Month: Changing the narrative on suicide
September is Suicide Prevention Month, with September 10 being World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD). The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as a day meant to raise awareness globally about suicide prevention. For the years 2024 to 2026, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day is “Changing the narrative on suicide.” It’s an important reminder to not allow ourselves to bury conversations on suicide and suicide prevention sheerly out of discomfort or a lack of acceptance.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. The 2023 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey found that 9% of high school students attempted suicide one or more times in the past year — with a majority of this percentage made up of girls, LGBTQ youth, and ethnic minorities. It’s clear that suicide remains a very real problem — but let’s also remember that there are very real actions we can take as a community to prevent suicidal thoughts from taking away our loved ones and peers.
A brief history on World Suicide Prevention Day
The International Association for Suicide Prevention and the WHO established WSPD in 2003. The very first theme for this WSPD was “Suicide can be prevented!” It was a call for communities around the world to understand that suicidal tendencies can be actively identified and addressed if we give individuals the attention and help they need.
WHO launched a suicide prevention initiative in the year 1999, catalyzing global coordinated efforts like WSPD. The objective of this initiative was to:
Reduce the frequency of suicidal behaviors (including non-fatal attempts individuals take to harm themselves, often seriously enough to require medical attention)
Identify, assess, and eliminate causes for suicidal behaviors early.
Raise overall awareness about the causes of suicide and prevention strategies, including education on how relatives and close friends of at-risk individuals who can support them.
Why must we change the narrative on suicide?
In 2013, the theme of WSPD was “Stigma: A major barrier to suicide prevention.” Over 10 years later, the stigma around suicide is still a prevalent blocker in preventive conversations.
To change the narrative on suicide is to allow those suffering to speak their truth without shame, fear of judgement, or fear of being dismissed. For youth with suicidal behaviors, having people around them who understand and accept a stigma-free new narrative is important. These individuals will become active listeners that play a key role in preventive interventions.
How can we play our part to change the narrative about mental health in youth?
The International Association for Suicide Prevention describes this process as “shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.”
Taking action on this is baked into the theme of this year’s WSPD: A call for all of us to start the conversation.
Starting the conversation breaks down barriers and creates understanding around why individuals turn to suicidal behaviors. It’s the first step toward increasing access to mental health care for suicide prevention and creating safe spaces for youth at home, in the classroom, and within their local communities.
Take a look at the following resources for actionable ways to start this difficult conversation in a respectful and gentle way:
You can also take a look at a few of these multimedia resources:
Play your part — not just during National Suicide Prevention Month
For over 20 years, communities and organizations worldwide have continued to carry the mission of WSPD and National Suicide Prevention Week forward. Every effort we make to understand, pay attention to, and identify suicidal behaviors and warning signs will make a big difference to protect the youth communities around us who are carrying this heavy burden alone.
Download My Good Brain’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Zine for a printable resource on suicide and mental health facts, warning signs, and ways of prevention. You can view more essential links and resources on our resource page for suicide prevention.
