Looking Back, Moving Forward: Reflecting on Suicide Prevention Month

September may be Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but the effort to save lives doesn’t end when the calendar turns. Every year, this month serves as a crucial moment to amplify resources, foster open conversations, and remind anyone struggling that they are never alone. Behind every effort, event, and initiative are our intentional community partners—vital allies whose dedicated work drives real, lasting change in the suicide prevention space. Throughout September, we made real touch points with community members alongside these partners, moments captured in the photo recap below. As we reflect on the month, we invite you to reflect on the importance of staying present for one another and keeping the conversation going year-round.

The “Why”: Why Awareness and Action Can’t Wait

Behind every event we host and every conversation we start, there is a simple truth: suicide is preventable, but silence remains our biggest obstacle.

When we talk about suicide prevention, it’s easy to focus solely on the events or the turnouts. But the true reason we gather—why our partners dedicate their lives to this work and why our community continues to show up—lies in the stark reality of the numbers and the human lives behind them:

• The Scale of the Crisis: In the U.S. alone, tens of thousands of lives are lost to suicide each year—averaging one life lost every 11 minutes. Source: CDC
• A Leading Threat to Young People: Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 10–34. Stigma, isolation, and access to care continue to be critical hurdles for younger generations. Source: CDC
• The Silent Struggle: Men account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths, often due to societal pressures that discourage reaching out for emotional support. Meanwhile, suicide rates among older adults remain among the highest of any demographic. Source: CDC

“Suicide costs Americans over $500 billion annually in medical costs, lost work, the impact of lives cut short, and quality of life costs. The good news is we know how to prevent suicide, and each prevented suicide saves over $10 million in societal and health care costs.” –CDC

Beyond the Numbers

These aren’t just statistics on a page—they are our neighbors, family members, coworkers, and friends.

The “why” behind our work is rooted in hope. Studies consistently show that asking someone directly if they are struggling does not increase suicidal thoughts—in fact, opening that door can be a lifesaver. Awareness months give us a platform, but our ongoing partnerships and year-round community efforts provide the actual bridge: turning awareness into action, connects individuals to resources, and ensures that no one has to carry their heaviest burdens alone.

You Are Loved

The month of September events kicked off with You Are Loved, co-hosted with Cobb Parks. This community event, in partnership with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Cobb & Douglas Public Health, focused on the message of hope and awareness, that people are not alone in their struggle, and help is out there. Leading up to the event as well as at the event, community members got to participate in painting wooden hearts to go along the trail at Big Shanty Park in Kennesaw. The hearts had messages of hope, resilience, support, and love. Our team at Cobb Collaborative even participated! The hearts stayed along the trail for the month of September.

988 Day

This month marked the 2nd annual 988 Day on 9/8. 988 Day is a national day of action to bring awareness on suicide prevention and uplift mental health support. The theme for this year’s 988 Day was 988 Reasons: Your reason is reason enough. This theme reminds us that you don’t have to be in crisis to reach out to 988. Whatever you’re facing, big or small, your reason for seeking support is reason enough.

We participated in 988 Day several ways-both in person and digitally. On 988 Day, we provided a trauma-informed training workshop as part of an ongoing series. There we also shared about 988 Day and got a group picture, uplifting the importance of the day. Later on that day, we hosted a community Wellness Walk at the Big Shanty Trail, where the group was able to view the painted hearts along the trail and be encouraged by messages of hope.

Digitally, we were able to work with an outside team that created an animation for us that we posted on 988 Day. Here is our instagram platform to view the animation! The message that was uplifted was one of hope, strength, and support.

Later in the week, we partnered with a local high school’s HOSA club to provide education on 988 and mental health to the club members. It was an impactful conversation, hearing from younger voices on what mental health means to them.

Partner Appreciation

One of our key partners in this space is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “The AFSP Georgia Chapter works every day to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Through education, advocacy, research, community engagement, and support for those impacted by suicide loss, we are working to create a culture where mental health is prioritized and everyone knows they are not alone.”

We were honored to invite their Programs Manager, Chelsea Piatt, to be a guest on our Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast. In this episode, Chelsea and I, Lesleigh Sanders, discuss suicide prevention, supporting your own mental well-being, breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s work and goals. We also share resources and ways you can get involved in suicide prevention in your community. Listen to the episode here or on Spotify or apple to learn more about AFSP and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Moving Forward Together: How You Can Help

September gives us a focused moment to reflect, remember, and raise our voices, but the work of saving lives requires our commitment every single day. Creating a community where people feel safe asking for help isn’t something that happens overnight—it is built through small, daily acts of care and connection.

Here is how you can continue to make a difference year-round:

• Keep the Conversation Going: Check in on your loved ones, especially those who seem to be holding it all together. A simple text saying “I’m thinking of you” can mean more than you know.
• Know the Signs and Resources: Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of distress and save crisis helpline numbers in your phone so you’re ready to share them when needed.
• Support Local Partners: Get involved with the organizations and community partners featured in our work. Whether through volunteering, donating, or attending events, your support amplifies their life-saving reach.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this September, shared their stories, and stood alongside our partners. Together, we are proving that no one has to walk through the darkness alone.

Need Support or Know Someone Who Does?

If you or someone you know is going through a tough time, please know that you are not alone and help is always available.

Crisis Resources (Available 24/7, Free & Confidential): 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available in English and Spanish) The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): Call 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then Press 1, or text 838255 If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available in English and Spanish)
• The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): Call 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then Press 1, or text 838255