September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and is preventable.
“While anyone can be at risk for suicide, people with mental health issues experience a much higher risk of suicide,” said Public Health Well-being Specialist Jada McDonald. “That’s why fostering protective factors like connection and community support is essential for prevention.”
Building connected communities can look like reaching out and checking in on friends, family and neighbors, inviting and including people in community gatherings, and promoting the use of community spaces such as parks.