September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Its purpose is simple but urgent: raise awareness, reduce stigma, and connect people to resources before a crisis becomes a tragedy.
This article covers the history behind the month, warning signs to watch for, how to support someone in crisis, and how the April T. Bocian Foundation carries this mission forward in Grove City and greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all year long.
Key Takeaways
- September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day
- Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for Americans ages 10-24
- Recognizing warning signs and starting honest conversations can save lives
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, 24/7 confidential support by call, text, or chat
- Groups like the April T. Bocian Foundation turn September awareness into year-round community action
What Is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month?
September has been recognized as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month since about 2008, when government agencies and mental health organizations began dedicating the month to public education and outreach. The month also includes National Suicide Prevention Week and one fixed international observance.
When Is World Suicide Prevention Day?
World Suicide Prevention Day falls on September 10 every year. It began in Stockholm in 2003, launched by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) alongside the World Health Organization. Unlike the week-long campaign dates, September 10 does not move.
Why September?
There's no single dramatic origin story here. September became the designated month largely through coordinated efforts among federal agencies, state governments, and nonprofits like SAMHSA to create one unified window for national reflection, education campaigns, and resource-sharing.
What Color Represents Suicide Prevention Month?
Two symbols show up most often during the month:
- Teal and purple — the awareness colors, signaling that suicide is a public health issue open for honest conversation
- The semicolon — popularized by Project Semicolon, founded by Amy Bleuel in 2013; a semicolon marks a sentence that could have ended but didn't — and the story continues
Recognizing Warning Signs and Supporting Someone in Crisis
Suicide rarely happens without warning. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between silence and intervention.
Common Warning Signs
According to NIMH's 2025 guidance, watch for:
- Talk of wanting to die, feeling like a burden, or overwhelming guilt or shame
- Feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or being trapped with no way out
- Behavior changes such as withdrawing from friends, giving away possessions, or increased substance use
- Mood or routine shifts such as extreme mood swings, dangerous risk-taking, or sudden changes in eating and sleeping patterns
How to Start the Conversation
Asking directly doesn't plant the idea; research shows it doesn't increase suicidal thoughts. NIMH recommends five straightforward steps:
- Ask directly — "Are you thinking about suicide?"
- Listen without judgment — stay present and let them talk
- Help keep them safe — ask about a plan and reduce access to lethal means
- Help them connect — to 988, family, or a mental health professional
- Follow up — check in again, even after the immediate crisis passes
Using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. Support is:
- Free and available 24/7 across the US
- Open without insurance or personal information
- Subject to standard text message charges
Calls may be monitored for quality, and counselors can contact emergency services if there is an immediate safety threat. Support is confidential, though not fully anonymous.
If someone you care about is in crisis, reach out to 988 and stay connected—follow-up after the first conversation still matters.
Understanding "Suicide Survivor" and Loss
The term "suicide survivor" gets used two different ways, and the distinction matters.
- Suicide attempt survivor — someone who attempted suicide and lived
- Suicide loss survivor — someone who lost a family member, friend, or colleague to suicide
Using "suicide loss survivor" specifically helps avoid confusion between these two very different experiences. Both groups benefit from community and peer support.
Grief after a suicide loss carries unique weight, often mixed with guilt, unanswered questions, and isolation. Connecting with others who understand that specific kind of loss—through organized support groups or informal community networks—helps survivors feel less alone.
Why Suicide Awareness and Prevention Matter
Stigma keeps people silent. A 2025 scoping review found that most studies linking stigma to help-seeking behavior showed a negative relationship: the more stigma someone perceived, the less likely they were to seek help or disclose suicidal thoughts.
Awareness campaigns won't single-handedly cut suicide rates. A 2024 systematic review of 18 studies across eight countries found campaigns generally improved attitudes, reduced stigma, and increased help-seeking behavior like hotline calls, but evidence for reducing actual suicide counts remains limited.
Those shifts in attitudes, stigma, and help-seeking still matter. Awareness and prevention work involves:
- Education on risk factors and warning signs
- Access points like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
- Early intervention before a crisis escalates
National partnerships matter here too. Groups like AFSP amplify local efforts with vetted, research-backed resources local groups can use when someone needs a trusted next step.
Honoring April's Legacy: How the April T. Bocian Foundation Turns Grief into Action
April Tayler Bocian was born April 28, 1998, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Her photo even appeared in an advertising campaign for the hospital's nursing school when she was just a day old. She grew up known for her red hair, warm smile, and love of basketball.
But April was also the kid who welcomed new students, who noticed the overlooked and made them feel seen. She loved fashion, family beach trips to Erie and North Carolina, and dreamed of traveling to California with her basketball teammates.
Privately, April struggled with depression. On May 5, 2015, one week after her 17th birthday, she died by suicide.
Her family founded the April T. Bocian Foundation to make sure her story could help others. Today, the foundation:
- Partners with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) on prevention education
- Supports the EmpowHer Retreat, a wellness program for women's mental health
- Hosts an annual Golf Outing with team registration and community sponsorships
- Promotes the 988 Lifeline as an immediate resource for anyone in crisis
Rooted in Grove City, PA, and the greater Pittsburgh area, the foundation's work carries one clear message: awareness shouldn't stop when September ends.
Ways to Get Involved This September (and All Year)
You don't need a title or a formal role to make a difference. Small, consistent actions add up.
Support local prevention efforts:
- Register a team or sponsor a player for the April T. Bocian Foundation's Golf Outing
- Volunteer your time or skills by calling 724-355-1909
- Follow the foundation on Facebook for community updates
Spread the word:
- Share 988 Lifeline and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) resources with friends and family
- Wear teal and purple during September as a conversation starter
Check in personally:
- Text or call someone who's been quiet lately
- Ask directly, and listen without rushing to fix things
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month?
It's observed every September in the United States. World Suicide Prevention Day falls on September 10, and a dedicated awareness week typically occurs in mid-September.
Why is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month observed in September?
The observance dates back to around 2008, when federal agencies and nonprofits designated September as a unified time for national reflection, education, and outreach around suicide prevention.
What color is associated with Suicide Prevention Month?
Teal and purple are the official awareness colors. The semicolon (Project Semicolon, 2013) also signals that a life story can continue past a moment that might have ended it.
What does "suicide survivor" mean?
It can mean attempt survivors (people who attempted and lived) or loss survivors (people grieving someone they lost). Saying "loss survivor" specifically helps avoid confusion.
Why is suicide awareness important?
Awareness reduces stigma, and less stigma means people are more likely to seek help or talk openly about suicidal thoughts. Research shows campaigns improve help-seeking behavior, even if they can't single-handedly lower suicide rates.
What is the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day in 2026?
Themes are set by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and can span multiple years. Check IASP's official theme page for the current campaign focus.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Help is available 24/7, free and confidential.
