Suicide Prevention Month 2025
Voices of Prevention
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and this year’s Voices of Prevention campaign amplifies the diverse stories, strengths, and solutions that drive suicide prevention forward. Throughout the month, we honor lived experiences, promote healing, and empower communities to take action. By listening to voices of hope, strength, change, dignity, and purpose, we build a culture where mental health is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and lives are saved.
Weekly Themes & Activities
Week 1: Voices of Hope
Focus: Stories of recovery, resilience, and healing. Activities:
- Hope Wall Installation: Invite community members to share messages of hope on a public display.
- Storytelling Event: Host a panel or open mic featuring individuals with lived experience.
- Social Media Campaign: Share daily quotes or videos from survivors and advocates.
Week 2: Voices of Strength
Focus: Building protective factors and community resilience. Activities:
- 988 Day (Sept 8): Promote the national lifeline with events and digital campaigns
- World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept 10): Host a candlelight vigil or remembrance ceremony
- Mental Health First Aid Training: Partner with local providers to offer free or discounted sessions.
- Peer Support Circles: Facilitate small-group discussions led by trained peers.
- Veteran Outreach: Use resources from the Veterans Crisis Line to engage military families
Week 3: Voices of Change
Focus: Advocacy, policy, and systemic improvements. Activities:
- Policy Roundtable: Invite local leaders to discuss suicide prevention strategies.
- Youth-Led Initiatives: Empower students to lead awareness campaigns in schools.
- Zero Suicide Workshop: Introduce the Zero Suicide framework to healthcare providers
Week 4: Voices of Dignity
Focus: Respecting lived experience and promoting inclusive care. Activities:
- Lived Experience Panel: Feature voices from diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and disability communities.
- Safe Messaging Workshop: Train staff and media on responsible communication
- Out of the Darkness Walk: Partner with AFSP for a community walk
Week 5: Voices of Purpose
Focus: Finding meaning and purpose. Activities:
- Purpose Journaling Workshop: Guided sessions to explore personal goals and values.
- Volunteer Appreciation Event: Celebrate those contributing to prevention efforts.
- Take 5 to Save Lives Challenge: Encourage community members to complete five simple actions
- Youth Art Showcase: Display creative expressions of hope and purpose.
Resources
Kansas-Specific Resources
- HeadQuarters Kansas: Offers 24/7 crisis support, peer lines for youth, and volunteer opportunities.
- DCCCA Kansas: Provides education, training, and community-based services.
- Kansas Prevention Collaborative: Offers toolkits and data dashboards for local coalitions.
- Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS): empowering Kansans to make informed choices about their lives.
National Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or visit the website.
- SAMHSA Toolkit: Includes graphics, messages, and weekly themes.
- CDC Suicide Prevention Playbook: Evidence-based strategies for campaign planning.
- National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: A 10-year plan with goals for equity, care, and community action.
- SPRC Ideas for Action: Downloadable guide with 15+ activity ideas.
- Now Matters Now: Creating a meaningful life.
- Trevor Project: LGBTQ+ crisis intervention and suicide prevention support.
- Your Life Your Choice: Teens & Young Adult suicide prevention support.
Hashtags
- #SuicidePreventionMonth
- #VoicesOfPrevention
- #ksprevention
- #MentalHealthMatters
- #YouAreNotAlone
- #988Lifeline
- #Take5ToSaveLives