Suicide Awareness Month 2025: Warning Signs, Risk Factors, and How to Help
September is Suicide Awareness Month, a time to remove the stigma around talking about suicide, highlight prevention strategies, and promote evidence-based interventions. With suicide remaining a leading cause of death among young people—and the 11th leading cause of death overall in the United States—raising awareness and encouraging proactive engagement are more urgent than ever.
The Facts: Understanding the Scope
In 2023, the age-adjusted suicide rate was 14.12 per 100,000, virtually unchanged from 14.21 in 2022 (AFSP).
Suicide is one of the top causes of death among youth:
22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
16% reported making a suicide plan, according to the CDC’s 2022–2023 data.
Adolescents in rural areas face higher risk, with a rate of 15.8 per 100,000, compared to 9.1 per 100,000 in urban areas (The Jed Foundation).
LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected: 41% report serious suicidal thoughts, compared to 20% overall (NAMI).
The Purpose Behind Awareness
The purpose of Suicide Awareness Month is to dismantle shame, foster open conversations, and connect people with help. When we normalize talking about suicide, we help prevent tragedy by making it easier for individuals to reach out before a crisis escalates.
Schools, workplaces, and communities all play a role. Awareness campaigns, social media messaging, and community-based programs provide reminders that hope and support are available—even when life feels unlivable.
Recognizing Warning Signs & Myths
It’s vital to separate myths from facts when talking about suicide. One of the most damaging misconceptions is that asking someone if they are thinking about suicide will “plant the idea” in their mind. Research consistently shows the opposite: open, compassionate discussions decrease stigma, foster trust, and often encourage people to seek professional help.
Common Warning Signs
Warning signs of suicidal ideation can appear in emotional, behavioral, and physical forms. While not every individual will show all of these, noticing a cluster of symptoms can signal heightened risk:
Verbal cues: Talking about wanting to die, feeling like a burden, or expressing hopelessness. Phrases like “I can’t go on” or “Everyone would be better off without me” should always be taken seriously.
Behavioral changes: Withdrawing from friends or family, giving away possessions, saying goodbye in unusual ways, or showing a sudden calmness after a period of distress (which may indicate a decision to attempt suicide).
Mood and thought patterns: Increased irritability, rage, overwhelming anxiety, or emotional numbness.
Risk-taking behavior: Increased substance use, reckless driving, or unsafe sexual behavior.
Physical changes: Sleeping too much or too little, changes in appetite, or neglecting personal hygiene.
Passive vs. Active Suicidal Ideation
Understanding the difference between passive and active suicidal ideation can help gauge immediate risk and guide next steps:
Passive suicidal ideation: The person expresses a wish not to wake up, feelings of life being meaningless, or a desire for escape without specific plans. For example: “I wish I could just fall asleep and never wake up.” Passive thoughts still require attention and support, as they can progress to active planning.
Active suicidal ideation: The person not only thinks about dying but has specific plans or intentions to act on those thoughts. They may describe how, when, or where they would attempt suicide. Active ideation represents a higher and more urgent risk that requires immediate professional or crisis intervention.
How to Help Someone with Suicidal Thoughts
If you notice signs of suicidal ideation in someone, here are evidence-based steps you can take:
Ask directly, but gently: Questions like, “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Have you thought about hurting yourself?” show care and openness. Asking directly does not increase risk—it helps people feel seen and understood.
Listen without judgment: Validate their feelings. Avoid minimizing (“You have so much to live for”) or problem-solving too quickly. Instead, reflect what you hear: “It sounds like you’re feeling trapped and hopeless.”
Encourage professional help: Share resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or offer to help make an appointment with a therapist, psychologist, or doctor.
Ensure safety: If someone shares a specific plan or seems at immediate risk, do not leave them alone. Call 988 or take them to the nearest emergency department.
Stay connected: Even after a crisis has passed, regular check-ins can provide ongoing support and help prevent recurrence.
By learning to recognize the signs—both subtle and obvious—we can better support those in our lives and communities who may be silently struggling.
Resources and Support Systems
988 Lifeline (24/7 support)
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth
Maryland Mobile Crisis Unit- 240-777-4000
DC Mobile Crisis Unit - 202-673-6495
Conclusion
Suicide can be preventable. By learning the warning signs, understanding passive vs. active suicidal ideation, and connecting individuals to professional help, we can save lives.
This Suicide Awareness Month 2025, commit to being part of the conversation. Your compassion, awareness, and action can bring hope to someone who feels hopeless—and remind them they are not alone. At Ballast, we are committed to helping teens and their families navigate the struggles of suicidal ideation.
