National Suicide Prevention Month
The Northwest Pennsylvania (NW PA) Veteran Suicide Prevention Program operates on a three-pronged approach involving healthcare providers, community organizations, and Veterans and their families. The following information about National Suicide Prevention Month is provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the primary funder of the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about offering suicide prevention training in your community.
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Resilience Starts with Connection
Every September, CDC observes Suicide Prevention Month. Our mission is No Lives Lost to Suicide, and we believe that by working together, suicide is preventable. Suicide is a serious public health problem. Suicide Prevention Month gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about suicide, increase understanding about how to prevent it, and provide support and resources for individuals and communities affected by suicide.
There are many risk factors for suicide. These include poor mental health and well-being, social isolation, easy access to lethal means, and adverse life events. Suicide is also difficult to talk about for many people. We can leverage Suicide Prevention Month to foster understanding and empathy to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. It is also a time to encourage open conversations and promote behaviors that help people feel healthy.
At CDC, our Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP) program currently funds recipients around the country to implement and evaluate a data-driven approach to suicide prevention. You can read about what each of these programs are doing to help prevent suicide among people that are at higher risk than others. In August, we announced 7 new recipients in the CSP program, bringing the total to 24 programs that are working to reduce suicide in their communities.
Recently, CDC released the latest provisional estimates for suicide deaths in the United States in 2022. Suicide deaths declined in 2019 and 2020, but increased by approximately 5% in 2021. Provisional data indicate that suicide deaths continued to increase approximately 2.6% from 2021 to 2022. While suicides increased overall, two groups saw a decline in numbers: American Indian and Alaska Native people (decreased 6.1%) and people ages 10-24 years (decreased 8.4%).
Recent increases in suicides are tragic, especially as we know suicide is preventable. CDC developed the Suicide Prevention Resource for Action, which offers strategies with the best-available evidence for preventing suicide. This Prevention Resource can help states and communities prioritize suicide prevention activities most likely to have an impact.
We can make Suicide Prevention Month successful by raising awareness and sharing resources to help spread the message of hope and connection. CDC’s Injury Center created a Suicide Prevention Month Social Media Toolkit that anyone can use. This toolkit highlights the importance of connecting with others, increasing resilience, and promoting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Visit our Partner Toolkit webpage to download and share graphics and social media text to spread the message that suicide is preventable and the important role we all play in prevention.
Looking to Get Involved?
Whether you identify as a healthcare provider, community organization, or Veteran, there are several opportunities through the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program and PERU to connect to resources, participate in educational training, and promote harm reduction strategies. We are actively recruiting healthcare and community partners to work with us in meeting our goals and objectives. To learn more, visit the program website at theresilientveteran.org.
Need Help? Know Someone Who Does? Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.