Suicide Prevention Starts With Connection
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, share resources, and remind one another that no one should have to struggle alone.
Mental health challenges are not always visible. A person can smile, attend school or work, care for others, and still be carrying pain that those around them cannot see. That is why connection matters. A sincere check-in, a listening ear, or the courage to start a difficult conversation can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Recognizing Possible Warning Signs
Warning signs may look different for everyone, but some behaviors can indicate that a person needs immediate support:
Talking about wanting to die or feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden
Withdrawing from family, friends, school, work, or activities
Experiencing extreme mood changes
Giving away meaningful possessions or saying goodbye
Taking unusual or dangerous risks
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Making a plan or searching for ways to die
Showing significant changes in sleeping or eating habits
These signs should always be taken seriously, especially when they are new or have recently increased.
How to Support Someone Who May Be Struggling
You do not need to have every answer to make a difference. You simply need to be willing to show up.
Ask directly and compassionately if they are thinking about suicide. Listen without interrupting, judging, or minimizing what they are experiencing. Help them connect with a trusted adult, mental health professional, crisis counselor, or another source of support.
Continue checking in after the initial conversation. A message, phone call, or visit can remind someone that they matter and that support remains available.
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Contact emergency services or another trusted person who can help keep them safe.
A Message to Our Girls
To every girl who feels overwhelmed, unseen, or unsure of how to explain what she is carrying: your feelings matter, your voice matters, and your life matters.
You do not have to pretend that everything is okay. Asking for help does not make you weak, difficult, or a burden. It is a courageous step toward receiving the care and support you deserve.
There are people who want to listen. There are people who want to help. There is still hope, even when you cannot feel it for yourself.
Help Is Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also chat with a crisis counselor at 988lifeline.org.
The 988 Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Support is free and confidential.
If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
As Suicide Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, our commitment cannot end with September. Let us continue checking in, listening without judgment, sharing resources, and reminding the people around us that they never have to struggle alone.
At The Campbell House, we remain committed to creating spaces where girls feel safe, supported, heard, and empowered to seek help when they need it.
