News

Sep 04, 2025

Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.

We recognize each September as National Suicide Prevention Month. This is a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.

According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health), the NIH and the CDC:

• More than 49,400 lives were lost to suicide in 2022 (most recent numbers).
• One in 20 U.S. adults (5%) have serious thoughts of suicide each year.
• About one 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 second leading cause of death among people ages 10-24, and the 11th leading cause of death overall.

As individuals, we all have the power to make a difference in someone’s life, but we may not realize it. Because suicide may be a leading cause of death, but it’s also one of the most preventable.

The goal of coming together this month 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.

Because with one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save a life.

Warning Signs

Comments or thoughts about suicide, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin small — for example, “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Nothing matters.” But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous. Pay attention to what they’re saying, how often, and if the comments or thoughts are increasing in severity.

Here are a few other warning signs of suicide:

• Increased alcohol and drug use
• Aggressive behavior
• Withdrawal from friends, family and community
• Dramatic mood swings
• Impulsive or reckless behavior

Further, suicidal behaviors can be a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one starts to take any of the following steps, seek immediate help from a health care provider or call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

• Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
• Giving away possessions
• Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
• Saying goodbye to friends and family

If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional can help assess the situation. Greenleaf's licensed clinicians can be reached at www.greenleafctr.org/individual-family-counseling or by calling 330-376-9494, ext. 906.

Risk Factors

Mental Health: Research has found that 46% of people who die by suicide have a known mental health condition.

Gender: Although more women* than men* attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide. (*gender assisgned at birth)

Substance use: Drugs can create mental highs and lows that worsen suicidal thoughts.

Intoxication: Analysis from the CDC indicates around 1 in 5 people who die by suicide had alcohol in their system at the time of death.

Other risk factors include, but are not limited to:

• A family history of suicide
• Access to firearms
• A serious or chronic medical illness
• A history of trauma or abuse
• Prolonged stress
• A recent tragedy or loss

Support in a Crisis

When a suicide-related crisis occurs, friends and family are often caught off-guard, unprepared, and unsure of what to do. The behaviors of a person experiencing a crisis can be unpredictable, changing dramatically without warning.

There are a few ways to approach a suicide-related crisis:

• Talk openly and honestly. Getting someone to talk out loud about their thoughts or plans could be enough to make a difference. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like: “Do you have a plan for how you would kill yourself?”
• Remove means such as guns, knives or stockpiled pills
• Calmly ask simple and direct questions, like “Can I help you call your psychiatrist?”
• If there are multiple people around, have one person speak at a time
• Express support and concern
• Don’t argue, threaten or raise your voice
• Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong
• If you’re nervous, try not to fidget or pace
• Be patient

Like any other health emergency, it’s important to address a mental health crisis like suicide quickly and effectively.

That’s why NAMI created Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency, so people experiencing mental health emergencies and their loved ones can have the answers and information they need when they need it.

Suicidal Ideation

If your friend or family member struggles with suicidal ideation day-to-day, let them know they can talk with you about what they’re going through. Make sure you adopt an open and compassionate mindset when they’re talking. Instead of “arguing” or trying to disprove any negative statements they make (“Your life isn’t that bad!”), try active listening techniques such as reflecting their feelings and summarizing their thoughts. This can help your loved one feel heard and validated.

Let them know that mental health professionals are trained to help people understand their feelings and improve mental wellness and resiliency. Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, can help a person with thoughts of suicide recognize ineffective patterns of thinking and behavior, validate their feelings and learn positive coping skills. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom, and just like any other, they can be treated, and they can improve over time.

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.

Greenleaf Can Help

Greenleaf Family Center provides mental health services at our offices and online for individuals, families and couples. We can help if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is exhibiting any of the warning or risk factors above. Please visit us at www.greenleafctr.org/family-individual-counseling.

Thank you to NAMI for providing a large portion of the content, resources and research for Greenleaf’s 2025 Suicide Prevention Month campaign.