Suicide Prevention Month

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. More help and crisis lines.

Share our PSA: Talking About Suicide Saves Lives

Group of people sitting in chairs with a Black man centered and talking.
White background with NAMI Seattle logo and teal headline "Know the Warning Signs of Suicide" at the top. Underneath headline is black text "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." Centered is a teal and purple chart that lists signs "increased alcohol and drug use, aggressive behavior, impulsive or reckless behavior, withdrawal from friends family and community, dramatic mood swings, collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon, giving away possessions, tying up loose ends like organizing personal papers, saying goodbye to friends and family". Text across the bottom reads, "There is hope. If you or a loved one are struggling or in crisis call or text 988, Suicide & Crisis Lifeline".

Spreading Hope and Sharing Resources

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

Resources

For Young Folks

For Parents & Caregivers

Share the Facts

These are only a few of the reasons why it’s important to take part in promoting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

Teal and purple background with graphics to represent statistics. Someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes. 1,229 lives were lost to suicide in Washington State in 2021. 1 in 5 Washington 10th graders considered suicide in 2021. 79% of all people who die by suicide are male. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide. Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life compared to the general population.

King County (2016-2020)

  • The Suicide rate was 12.3 people per 100,000.
  • Suicide rates were the highest among people 75 years old and older at 21.5 per 100,000.
  • Downtown Seattle, Covington/Maple Valley, and Kent-West had the highest rates.
  • Suicides in King County are increasing.

Source: Communities Count

Washington State

  • In Washington State, 1,229 lives were lost to suicide in 2021. (CCD)
  • 20% of Washington State 10th graders considered suicide in 2021. (Healthy Youth Survey)
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Washington teens 15-19 years old. (Healthy Youth Survey)
  • Suicide rates are higher in small towns than in larger metropolitan areas. (A Train Education)

Nationally

  • 79% of all people who die by suicide are male. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide. (NAMI)
  • 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. (Trevor Project)
  • Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life compared to the general population. (NAMI)
  • Suicide rates among Black youth (10 to 24) rose 36.6% from 2018 to 2021, the largest percentage jump among any demographic. (CDC)

Spreading Hope

Shame and stigma thrive in silence, but telling our stories shares hope and spreads healing. Listen as people share their challenges and how they overcome struggles to find hope.

Get Involved 

Share our PSA: Talking About Suicide Saves Lives

“I’ve understood the burnout.”

“I’ve understood the burnout.”

Aug 9, 2026

An interview with Luke Reynolds, a University of Washington Bothell accounting student, on mental health in the world of tax accounting and how he plans to apply his new skills in Mental Health First Aid certification in his career. By Nathan West, Viet Tran, Kevin...

“If you can help, you should help.”

“If you can help, you should help.”

Apr 6, 2026

An interview with University of Washington Bothell student and Youth Mental Health First Aid certified martial arts coach Arwyn Willingham Content warning: Discussions of suicide and self-harm. As I joined the Zoom meeting, Arwyn Willingham was already sitting at a...

Suicide Prevention Week of Action

Suicide Prevention Week of Action

Sep 11, 2023

Suicide Prevention Week of Action NAMI Seattle kicked off Suicide Prevention Week of Action with a resource tabling on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th. A big thank you to Rue Sante and Lazy Cow Cafe for having us talk about suicide prevention.King County...

Spreading Hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Spreading Hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Aug 16, 2023

Opportunity  Join NAMI Seattle’s video campaign to raise awareness and spread hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September. Shame and stigma thrive in silence, but telling our stories shares hope and spreads healing. We invite you to share your story and...

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