September is Suicide Prevention Month nationwide. All month, we have been hearing reminders to learn the signs of suicide and to check in on our loved ones. It is great that these reminders are getting attention this month, but what about the other 11 months of the year? In 2025, 720 people died by suicide in Utah.
The average number of Utahns who attempt suicide each year is over 5,000. One month is not going to be enough to slow these numbers down — suicide prevention needs to be on our minds year-round.
Many people shy away from the topic of suicide because it is uncomfortable, intimidating and tragic. However, the best way to prevent suicide is by talking about it. You do not need to be a mental health professional to notice when your loved ones are struggling, and you do not need to be a mental health professional to ask them if they are considering suicide.
One difficult conversation is better than allowing someone to suffer in silence — and if you are willing to speak up about suicide, it may help someone feel more comfortable asking for help. There is no way to know what someone is dealing with by simply looking at them, so ask!
Most often, they will be grateful that you cared enough to ask, and that is meaningful in itself. However, if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, you have created an opportunity to support them, get them the resources they need, and help keep them safe.
What do you do if someone does share with you that they are feeling suicidal? Here in Utah, we have multiple options for support. The fastest and most accessible resource is calling 988. Anyone can call, text or chat online with trained crisis workers through 988, whether they are suicidal, stressed or worried about a loved one.
988 provides 24/7 support and can also help connect callers to additional resources when needed. MCOT, or the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, is another amazing resource that we have here in Utah. MCOT will meet a person in crisis where they are, whether that is at home, school or work. These teams will then assess a crisis, connect a caller to additional help and develop a safety plan when needed. Knowing the resources available in your community is a great way to build the confidence to speak up about suicide.
Suicide prevention is about more than watching out for your friends and family. True suicide prevention means building safe spaces where anyone can feel like they can ask for help. We all deserve to live in a community that cares for each other — where asking for help is normalized, support is available, and everyone knows that their pain will be taken seriously. We all deserve to feel like we are not alone. I am grateful that we have September to remind us that suicide is a real problem — but now we need to spend the rest of the year solving the problem as well.