Centerstone focuses on National Suicide Prevention Month throughout September

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Centerstone recognizes National Suicide Prevention Month as a time for mental health advocates, community members, prevention organizations, survivors and others to raise awareness and promote constructive discussion about suicide prevention.

The rate of suicide is on an alarming upward trend and is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the suicide rate has risen by 35 percent in the last 20 years. In 2018, 48,344 Americans died by suicide — an average of 132 people each day.

National Suicide Prevention Month seeks to break the stigma surrounding suicide and provide opportunities for fruitful conversations. Having more open conversations leads to less suicide occurring, as people feel less alone and are more willing to share their troubling thoughts.

“We know that when we talk about mental health, suicide, and other, sometimes difficult topics, what we end up doing is opening a door,” says Jenna Farmer-Brackett, clinical manager at Centerstone. “We never truly know what any other person experiences, we have to talk about it and we have to listen.”  Farmer-Brackett goes on to say, “more importantly, we have to care enough to open that door.”

Centerstone is dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding suicide and is committed to providing spaces where these issues can be talked about safely. Centerstone will focus on fostering conversations about suicide prevention throughout the month of September, and invites clients, the media and members of the community to join discussions on:

• Suicide statistics and trends
• Suicide prevention and access to mental health resources
• Suicide amongst the military community
• Suicide amongst the LGBTQ+ community
• Suicide amongst the BIPOC community

For more information and updates on National Suicide Prevention Month, please visit www.centerstone.org/suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns or thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.