September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to talk openly about suicide, mental health, and the importance of reaching out for help.
Suicide can be difficult to talk about. Many people worry they will say the wrong thing. Others may avoid the subject because it feels scary or uncomfortable.
But talking about suicide matters.
A caring conversation can help someone feel less alone. Learning the warning signs can help us notice when someone may need support. And knowing where to turn for help can make it easier to take the next step.
Most importantly, struggling with suicidal thoughts does not mean there is no hope. Help is available, and things can improve and change.
What Is Suicide Prevention Month?
September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Month. It is a time to raise awareness about suicide, reduce the shame that can surround mental health struggles, and encourage people to seek support.
It is also a reminder that suicide prevention is not only the job of mental health professionals.
Friends, family members, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, and community members can all play a role.
You do not need to know exactly what to say. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is notice that someone is struggling and let them know they do not have to face it alone.
Why Talking About Suicide Matters
For a long time, people were taught not to talk about suicide.
Some people worried that asking someone about suicide might “put the idea in their head.” However, asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts does not cause them to become suicidal. Instead, asking can open the door to an important conversation.
Someone who has been hiding their thoughts may feel relieved that another person noticed. It can give them permission to say what they have been afraid to say out loud.
Talking openly about suicide can also reduce shame.
Mental health struggles are not something people should have to hide. A person experiencing suicidal thoughts deserves compassion, support, and access to appropriate care.
Understanding Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts can look different from person to person.
Some people may have clear thoughts about ending their life. Others may have more passive thoughts, such as wishing they would not wake up or feeling that everyone would be better off without them.
These thoughts can happen when emotional pain feels overwhelming.
A person may feel trapped, hopeless, exhausted, ashamed, or unable to imagine their situation getting better. They may not necessarily want life itself to end. They may desperately want their pain or current situation to stop.
That distinction matters.
Pain can change. Circumstances can change. Treatment can help. Support can help.
A person who cannot see another path right now may still be able to find one with the right support.
Warning Signs Someone May Be Struggling
There is no single warning sign that tells us someone is suicidal.
Sometimes there are clear changes. Other times, the signs are much more difficult to notice.
Possible warning signs can include:
- Talking about wanting to die or not wanting to be alive
- Saying they feel hopeless or trapped
- Saying others would be better off without them
- Talking about being a burden
- Pulling away from friends, family, or activities
- Giving away important belongings
- Saying goodbye in an unusual or unexpected way
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Major changes in sleep or eating
- Extreme mood changes
- Increased anger, anxiety, agitation, or sadness
- Taking unusual or dangerous risks
- Suddenly seeming calm after a period of severe distress
A person does not need to show every warning sign to need help.
Sometimes the change itself is important. If someone simply seems very different from their usual self, it is okay to check in.
“But They Seem Fine”
One of the difficult things about mental health is that we cannot always see what another person is carrying.
Someone can go to work, take care of their children, laugh with friends, answer texts, and continue meeting responsibilities while experiencing serious emotional pain. People sometimes become very good at hiding how they feel.
This is one reason regular, genuine connection matters.
Instead of only asking, “How are you?” consider asking questions that invite a more honest answer:
“How have you really been doing lately?”
“You haven’t seemed like yourself. Is something going on?”
“You’ve been dealing with a lot. How are you holding up?”
Small changes in how we ask can create space for a much bigger conversation.
How to Ask Someone About Suicide
If you are concerned that someone may be suicidal, it is okay to ask directly.
You might say:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“Have you been thinking about hurting yourself?”
“Are you thinking about ending your life?”
These questions may feel uncomfortable, but clear language is important.
Try not to judge, lecture, argue, or immediately tell the person why they should not feel that way.
Listen.
You do not have to solve everything in that moment. Your job is not to become their therapist. Your role is to help them stay connected and get appropriate support.
What to Say When Someone Opens Up
Many people worry about finding the perfect words.
There usually aren’t perfect words.
Simple responses can be powerful:
“I’m glad you told me.”
“I’m here with you.”
“You don’t have to handle this by yourself.”
“Let’s figure out what support you need.”
“What would help you feel safer right now?”
Try to avoid responses that minimize the person’s experience.
Statements such as “Other people have it worse,” “You have so much to be grateful for,” or “Just think positive” may be meant to help, but they can make someone feel more alone.
You do not need to convince someone that everything is wonderful.
You can acknowledge that things are painful while still holding onto the possibility that things can get better.
Take Suicidal Thoughts Seriously
If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, take them seriously.
Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts a secret.
If there is an immediate danger, stay with the person when possible and seek emergency support. Help reduce access to things that could be used for self-harm when it is safe for you to do so.
In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also contact 988 if you are worried about someone else and need guidance about what to do.
Local Crisis Support in Genesee County
If you live in Genesee County or the surrounding area, Genesee Health System (GHS) provides local mental health crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
GHS offers a crisis line, text support, mobile crisis services, and 24/7 Behavioral Health Urgent Care. You can call 810-496-5500 or visit Behavioral Health Urgent Care at 1040 W. Bristol Rd., Flint, MI 48507 for immediate support.
You can find additional GHS crisis contact information in the Crisis Support section at the end of this article.
If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
You do Not Have to Be in Crisis to Seek Therapy
One important part of suicide prevention is getting support before things reach a crisis point.
Therapy is not only for emergencies. You can seek therapy when you notice that life is becoming harder to manage.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed all the time. Maybe anxiety is taking over your day. Maybe you have stopped enjoying things that once mattered to you. Maybe trauma continues to affect your relationships, sleep, work, or sense of safety.
You do not need to wait until you “can’t take it anymore.”
Getting help earlier can give you more time and space to understand what is happening and develop healthier ways of coping.
Mental Health Struggles Can Be Quiet
Some people experience emotional pain without telling anyone.
They may worry about being judged. They may believe they should be able to handle things on their own. They may not want to worry their family or friends.
This can be especially common in environments where people are expected to be strong, independent, or able to handle difficult situations without showing emotion.
But needing support is part of being human.
Reaching out can mean talking with a trusted friend, family member, doctor, therapist, faith leader, support group, or crisis counselor.
The first conversation does not have to solve everything.
It simply needs to start somewhere.
Check on the People Around You
Suicide Prevention Month is a good reminder to check in with the people in our lives.
Think about someone who has been going through a difficult season.
Send the text.
Make the phone call.
Invite them for coffee.
Ask the second question when “I’m fine” does not sound quite right.
You do not need to wait until you are certain something is wrong.
Connection itself can be protective.
If You Are The One Struggling
If you are reading this because you are struggling, you do not have to figure everything out today.
You also do not need to decide whether your situation is “bad enough” to deserve help.
If you are hurting, that matters.
Consider telling someone what is happening. Contact a therapist, doctor, trusted person, or crisis counselor. If saying everything feels too difficult, start small.
You can simply say:
“I’m not doing well, and I think I need some help.”
That is enough to begin.
Suicide Prevention Is About More Than Preventing a Crisis
Suicide prevention includes crisis services, but it also includes something much bigger.
It means creating communities where people can talk about mental health without shame.
It means making treatment easier to access.
It means checking on people who are grieving, isolated, overwhelmed, traumatized, or going through major life changes.
It means taking emotional pain seriously before it becomes unbearable.
And it means reminding people that needing help does not make them weak.
Finding Mental Health Support in Grand Blanc and Michigan
If you have been struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief, or other mental health concerns, therapy can provide a place to talk openly about what you are experiencing.
At Mi Mind Matters, we provide individual therapy for adults in Grand Blanc, Michigan, as well as telehealth therapy for clients throughout Michigan.
Therapy can help you better understand what you are feeling, develop healthier coping strategies, work through painful experiences, and begin making changes that feel manageable.
You do not have to wait for a crisis to ask for help.
You may never know how much a conversation matters to someone.
Checking in matters.
Listening matters.
Taking someone’s pain seriously matters.
And asking for help matters.
This September, during Suicide Prevention Month, we can all make a little more room for honest conversations about mental health.
Sometimes hope begins with something very small:
“I’m here. Tell me what’s going on.”
Crisis Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, help is available.
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also contact 988 if you are concerned about someone else and need help deciding what to do.
Local Crisis Support in Genesee County
Genesee Health System (GHS) provides local crisis services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- GHS Crisis Line: 810-257-3740
- Text: Text GHS to 934688 (WEGOTU)
- Behavioral Health Urgent Care: 810-496-5500
- Walk-In Behavioral Health Urgent Care: 1040 W. Bristol Rd., Flint, MI 48507
- Mobile Crisis Services: 810-496-5500
GHS Behavioral Health Urgent Care is available 24/7 for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Their team can assess what is happening, provide immediate support, and help determine the appropriate next level of care.
If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.