Together we can all prevent suicide. September is National Suicide Prevention Month where mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention efforts. It is a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic and attempt to shift public perception. Thank you to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for proclaiming September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to move these efforts forward. Join us to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help when needed.
Understand that thoughts of suicide, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, education, employment and socioeconomic status, community, and the various other backgrounds and experiences that influence ones life. Throughout the month we will highlight resources that are available and encourage everyone to bring their voices together to advocate for better mental health care that supports people in recognizing the signs and symptoms, finding ways to have real conversations, connect people to information and resources, understand what treatments and supports are available, and make this a topic that is “normalized” in our community.
Informational Resources
- Know the warning signs and risk factors of suicide
- Be prepared for a crisis
- Understand how to navigate through a mental health crisis
- Know that it is okay to talk about suicide
- Offer support
- Find information and resources
Crisis Resources
- If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
- If you are in crisis, experiencing difficult times, or having thoughts of suicide, call the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-NMCRISIS (1-855-662-7474) we are here to here you.
Awareness Resources
During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, please refer to these images and graphics to use on your website and social media accounts. Use #Suicide Prevention or #Together4MH
While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.
Individual Impact
- 78% of all people who die by suicide are male.
- Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
- The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999.
- New Mexico has the fourth highest rates of deaths by suicide in the United States.
- 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.
- While nearly half of individuals who die by suicide have a mental health diagnosis, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms.
Community Impact
- Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
- 4.8% of all adults
- 11.8% of young adults aged 18-25
- 18.8% of high school students
- 46.8% of lesbian, gay and bisexual high school students
- Some of the highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than their youth counterparts.
- Transgender, and other sex and gender minority adults, are nearly 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.
