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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

A close-up photo of two people holding hands in a gesture of comfort and support. A teal and purple awareness ribbon, the symbol for suicide prevention, is in the top right corner.

The beginning of September marks National Suicide Prevention Month. An important protective factor for suicide prevention is connection. Human connection is something that is core to each and every person, so Jefferson Center invites you to experience community and compassion at multiple events during the month of September, all to support our suicide prevention efforts across Colorado.

Join Us this Month!

Hope;ink Semicolon Tattoo Event

Hope;ink serves as a meaningful extension of the broader worldwide initiative, providing a local platform for individuals to “ink” their story, unite in solidarity, and express themselves through the semicolon symbol. This year features two days to get involved!

Register Now!

YANA Benefit Concert

Join us for an unforgettable evening where the power of live music brings our community together to raise awareness, inspire hope, and support suicide prevention and mental wellness throughout Colorado. Proceeds directly benefit Jefferson Center!

Get Tickets!

Suicide is Preventable

Most people who think about suicide don’t really want to end their life. They just want relief from the intense emotional pain they’re experiencing, and don’t see workable alternatives to resolve the problem or issue. Most people do NOT really want to die. They simply want to end the pain.

  • 94% of people believe that suicide can be prevented at least sometimes.
  • 67% of people report they have or have had a mental health condition.
  • 60% of adults have familiarity with suicide.
  • 2 out of 3 adults believe they don’t have enough knowledge to tell if someone is considering suicide, but 8 out of 10 are open to learning how they can do more to help someone in need.
  • Half to three-quarters of adults are comfortable: being there to help a loved one, talking to a clinician when struggling, talking to a friend or loved one when struggling, and discussing suicide with friends and loved ones overall.

Here are four things you can do to promote suicide prevention awareness and make a difference:

1. Learn to Identify the Risk Factors and Warning Signs

  • Feeling depressed/hopeless
  • History of depression
  • Low energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Previous suicide attempt
  • Feelings of isolation and/or withdrawal
  • Unexplained mood improvement
  • Change in appetite, sleeping
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Talking or joking about suicide or death
  • Giving away possessions
  • Careless, high-risk behavior

2. Review Suicide Prevention Tips and Information

Jefferson Center: Suicide Prevention

Man Therapy

Take 5 to Save Lives

3. Participate in a Training

QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer – 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.

4. Offer Support

  • Share tools and resources with others
  • Check-in with a friend by phone or text message to see how they are doing
  • Send a handwritten card to let someone know you are thinking of them

Mental Health and suicide prevention are more important than ever. We are a strong and resilient community, united in our effort to fight suicide, raise awareness, educate our communities, support those who have lost loved ones, and support those with lived experience. We use our voices and share our stories to provide hope.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, Colorado Crisis Services is available 24/7/365 by calling 988.

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