Health and Fitness : Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Is a Call to Action

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a dedicated time to increase awareness about the prevalence of suicide, share information on how to prevent it, and provide support to those affected, says Morgan Newell, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

"This month serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in tackling this critical issue," said Newell, who specializes in family wellbeing.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a call to action for individuals, communities and organizations to come together and address the profound issue of suicide. In 2022, Iowa was ranked 16th for suicide mortality in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"With 590 suicide deaths in Iowa in 2022, we are higher than the national rate of suicides in every age bracket," Newell said. "Each year, suicide rates in Iowa continue to increase, leading to the question: What can we do to help save a life from suicide?"

Suicide is a preventable kind of death, and one person has the ability to step up and help save a life. "Evidence shows that providing support services, reducing access to means of self-harm, talking with the individual about suicidal thoughts, feelings or plans, and following up with the individual we are concerned about can help save a life," Newell said.

Iowans can improve their ability to support family, friends or colleagues who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts. ISU Extension and Outreach delivers Mental Health First Aid training as well as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training. To enroll in either training, contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

These trainings can help you learn some of the warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide, such as expressions of wanting to die, feeling like a burden, giving away belongings, withdrawing from social interactions, increasing substance use, referring to oneself in the past tense and experiencing severe mood swings.

Several national and state hotlines and messaging services are focused on preventing suicide and can be a resource if you or someone you know is in crisis: