A Pathway to Hope: Talking About Suicide and Prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Month. During this month, we take time to remember and honor those we have lost to suicide while creating space for honest conversations about suicide and mental health. Talking about suicide and suicide loss does not have to be frightening or uncomfortable. Sometimes, having a safe person who is willing to listen without judgment can be an important first step toward seeking support. Losing someone to suicide is not something that needs to be whispered about, judged, or surrounded by shame. Suicide affects individuals, families, and communities, and creating opportunities for open and compassionate conversations can help reduce the stigma that often surrounds it.

In this article, we will explore the impact of suicide and the lives lost each year, while discussing how suicidal thoughts can be addressed in the therapy room with compassion, understanding, and a trauma-informed perspective to help you rise and shine.

Statistics Behind Suicide Loss

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023, 2024) collects and reports suicide loss data each year through the National Vital Statistics System.

• In 2023, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.

• In 2023, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death in ages 10-34.

• In 2024, suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths

• In 2024, suicide was responsible for 4,490 deaths in Texas.

How You Can Help Someone

If you are concerned that someone you know may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, you do not have to have all the right words or know exactly what to do. Your willingness to notice, ask, listen, and connect them with support can make a meaningful difference. Here are some ideas of how to help:

• Start the conversation

  • Ask directly if they are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

• Listen without judgement

  • Listen and give space to share. Acknowledge that their feelings and experiences matter.

  • Avoid trying to fix, minimize, or judge what they are experiencing.

• Take them seriously

  • Believe someone when they express thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

• Connect them with supports

  • Help connect them to a local counselor, doctor, or other health professional. Making that initial call or attending their first appointment may feel like a monumental step.

  • Help connect them to their natural supports, such as their family or friends.

• Stay connected

  • Continue to check in and remind them that they are not alone. This can be as simple as a text message.

• If there is immediate danger, seek emergency support.

  • If they do not feel safe or are in immediate danger, call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency department.

How You Can Ask for Help

Asking for help for yourself can feel difficult, especially when you are experiencing suicidal thoughts. A lot of people may not have to have the right words or explain everything at once. That is normal and okay; you can start by letting someone you trust know that you are struggling. Here are some ideas for reaching out for support:

• Tell someone you trust

  • You can say, "I am having a difficult time and need some extra support."

  • You can ask for help scheduling an appointment or finding the right professional to talk to.

• Reach out to a therapist

  • A therapist can provide a safe, supportive space to talk about the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. Therapists are trained to help support you through these moments.

• Contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day to provide around-the-clock support and connect you to support if needed.

Finding the Right Support

There are many ways to find support after being impacted by suicide. Here are a few options that may be helpful:

• Survivors of suicide loss

  • Individual Therapy

  • Family Therapy

  • Support Groups

    • American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

  • Spiritual/Religious Support

  • Peer Support

• If someone you care about is experiencing suicidal thoughts

  • Individual Therapy

  • Family/Couples Therapy

  • Support Groups

  • Peer Support

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Emergency services if their immediate safety is at risk.

• If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts

  • Individual Therapy

  • Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP)

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Mental Health Crisis Services

  • Emergency Services if immediate safety is at risk.

Discussing Suicide in Therapy

In the therapy room, people may feel that if suicide is discussed, it will increase the likelihood of a suicide attempt. Dazzi et al (2014) completed a study that "suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce, rather than increase suicidal ideation, and may lead to improvements in mental health in treatment-seeking populations." Therapy can help reduce suicidal thoughts by:

• Creating a safe space to talk

  • Therapy is a unique place that provides an opportunity to discuss suicidal thoughts and other difficult emotions without judgment.

• Understanding what you're experiencing

  • A therapist can help you explore and identify thoughts and feelings that may be contributing to the suicidal thoughts.

• Developing coping skills

  • A therapist can help you learn new skills to decrease distress from overwhelming emotions.

• Identifying triggers and warning signs

  • With a therapist, you can work towards identifying any changes in thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that indicate you are struggling before the feelings get too big.

• Creating a safety plan

  • A therapist can help you develop a personalized safety plan that identifies your supports, coping skills, and other resources to utilize during difficult moments.

• Strengthening your support system

  • Therapy can help you identify safe and trusted people and supports to turn to when you need extra help.

• Building hope and connection

  • Therapy can assist you in identifying reasons to live, your strengths, and goals.

Conclusion

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, especially among our youth. Talking about suicide can feel frightening, overwhelming, or uncomfortable, whether you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, have lost someone to suicide, or are concerned about someone you care about. No matter how suicide has impacted you, you do not have to navigate it alone.

There are a variety of resources and supports available, and finding the right support may look different for everyone. At Rise and Shine Education and Counseling Enterprises, PLLC, our therapists are trained and ready to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to individuals and families impacted by suicide when the time feels right for you.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel that you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are in immediate danger or cannot maintain your safety, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. Reaching out for support is a courageous step, and you do not have to take it alone.

References:

Dazzi, T., Gribble, R., Wessely, S., & Fear, N. T. (2014). Does asking about suicide and related behaviours induce suicidal ideation? What is the evidence? Psychological Medicine, 44(16), 3361–3363. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291714001299

CDC. (2023). WISQARS leading causes of death visualization tool. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wisqars.cdc.gov/lcd/?o=LCD&y1=2023&y2=2023&ct=11&cc=ALL&g=00&s=0&r=0&ry=3&e=0&ar=lcd1age&at=groups&ag=lcd1age&a1=0&a2=199

CDC. (2026, May 29). Suicide data and statistics. Suicide Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/data/index.html