Suicide Prevention: Recognize the Signs, Start the Conversation, and Connect with Care

 

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to remember that we all have a role to play in suicide prevention. A caring conversation, a check-in, or simply being there can help someone feel less alone. You can make a meaningful difference by learning how to recognize when someone may be struggling and knowing how to respond.

 

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people, highlighting the importance of connection, compassion, and access to support. According to the 2025 Santa Clara County Children’s Data Book, 34% of high school students reported experiencing feelings of sadness or hopelessness, which are symptoms of depression, for more than two weeks in the past year. This finding shows the importance of creating supportive environments where young people feel seen, heard, and connected.

 

As a member of the Project Safety Net coalition, Acknowledge Alliance is committed to strengthening suicide prevention efforts and connecting our communities with resources that promote mental health, resilience, and hope. In our schools and communities, trusted relationships can help young people and adults feel supported, especially during times of stress or isolation.

 

Explore the resources below from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s #BeThe1To campaign to learn how to recognize warning signs of suicide and discover five action steps (Ask, Be There, Help Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, and Follow Up) for supporting someone who may be experiencing a crisis. By learning how to respond and reaching out with care, we can all play a role in offering hope and reminding someone they are not alone. 

 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential support, available 24/7.

 

For additional local support and community resources, check out the Project Safety Net Community Resources List: https://www.psnyouth.org/resources/

 

Warning Signs

According to 988 Lifeline, the following warning signs may help you determine if someone you care about is at risk for suicide. This is especially true ”if their behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss or change” (988 Lifeline, 2024)

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

5 Steps for Communicating with Someone in Crisis

Supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention, 988 Lifeline has five action steps for communicating with someone in crisis:

 

1. Ask
Studies show that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation. By asking “are you thinking about suicide?” in a direct, unbiased manner, you open the door to communication with the person you are concerned about. After asking this question, it is important to listen to what they have to say in a non-judgemental and supportive way. Be sure to listen to their reasons for being in such emotional pain, and help them focus on the reasons they share for wanting to stay alive. Remember, never promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret. 

 

2. Be There
Just by being there, you can save the life of someone having suicidal thoughts. Whether you are there for them physically, by speaking to them on the phone, or in any other way you can provide support, you are increasing their connectedness to others and limiting their sense of isolation. 

 

3. Help Keep Them Safe
This step is centered around putting time and distance between the person and highly lethal means (like firearms and medications) or their chosen method of suicide. Studies have shown that when access to such means is removed, suicide rates by that method decline. You can ask the following questions to help gather the information you need to ensure the person’s immediate safety:

Have they already done anything to try to kill themselves before talking with you?

Does the person experiencing thoughts of suicide know how they would kill themselves?

Do they have a specific, detailed plan?

What’s the timing for their plan?

What sort of access do they have to their planned method?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you can reach out to 988 Lifeline or 911 for help and next steps.

 

4. Help Them Connect

The person will need ongoing support, so it is important to help them create a safety net for times when they are in crisis. A safety net can include sources of support in their community, such as 988 Lifeline, a mental health professional, and other resources. You can also help them to develop a safety plan, which can help them identify when they are starting to experience severe suicidal thoughts, what they can do in those moments, and a list of individuals they can contact.

 

5. Follow Up
Studies have shown that the number of deaths by suicide were decreased when simple follow-up was conducted. Receiving a text or phone call to check-in can help the person increase their feelings of connectedness and being supported.

 

References:

 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. (2024).How and Why the 5 Steps Can Help. Retrieved from https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/

 

County of Santa Clara, Healthier Kids Foundation, Kids in Common, & Santa Clara County Office of Education. (2025). 2025 Santa Clara County Children's Data Book. Retrieved from: https://www.kidsincommon.org/_files/ugd/916e96_57954ef24c84409bae4d7b93203d367b.pdf