World Suicide Prevention Day: Changing the Narrative on Suicide
A day to make room for honest conversations
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed each year on September 10. It is a time to remember people and communities affected by suicide, increase understanding, and encourage compassionate support.
The 2024–2026 theme from the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization is:
Changing the Narrative on Suicide
The campaign’s call to action is:
Start the Conversation
Changing the narrative means moving away from silence, shame, blame, and assumptions. It means making space for people to talk about emotional pain and asking how we can help: without expecting one conversation to solve everything.
For people living with mental health challenges, disabilities, or chronic pain, daily stress can sometimes be compounded by isolation, uncertainty, inaccessible services, financial pressure, or feeling misunderstood. We should never assume how someone feels based on a diagnosis or circumstance. Instead, we can stay curious, compassionate, and willing to listen.
Starting the conversation
A check-in does not need to be perfect. A simple, genuine question can communicate that someone matters.
You might say:
“I’ve noticed you seem to be having a difficult time. How are you doing?”
“You don’t seem like yourself lately. Would you like to talk?”
“I care about you, and I’m here to listen.”
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
Asking directly about suicide does not create suicidal thoughts. According to guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health, asking clearly can open an important conversation and help someone feel less alone.
How to listen without judgment
When someone shares that they are struggling, your role is not to have every answer. Your first responsibility is to listen and take them seriously.
Helpful approaches include:
Give your full attention. Put away distractions when possible and allow time for the person to speak.
Stay calm and patient. Strong emotions can be difficult to hear, but a calm presence can help the conversation feel safer.
Acknowledge their experience. Try, “That sounds like a lot to carry,” or “I’m glad you told me.”
Avoid minimizing. Statements such as “Others have it worse” or “You have so much to be grateful for” can make someone feel dismissed.
Do not rush to fix everything. Ask what kind of support would be helpful right now.
Do not promise secrecy. If someone may be in immediate danger, safety takes priority over keeping the conversation private.
Keep checking in. A follow-up message or call can remind someone that support does not disappear after one conversation.
Listening does not mean agreeing with everything someone says. It means treating their feelings with respect while helping them connect with appropriate support.
If someone may be in immediate danger
If a person says they may hurt themselves soon, has already seriously harmed themselves, or cannot stay safe, treat the situation as urgent.
Stay with them, if you can do so safely, or keep them connected by phone or text.
Contact emergency services if there is immediate danger.
Encourage crisis support and professional help.
If possible and safe, help create distance from anything that could cause harm.
Do not leave the person alone while waiting for help, unless staying would put you at risk.
You do not have to manage a crisis by yourself. Crisis counselors, emergency responders, health professionals, and trusted support people can help.
Crisis resources
United States
Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available 24/7 for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or concern about someone else.
If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Canada
Call or text 988 to reach the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline. Support is available throughout Canada for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, as well as people worried about someone else.
For immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Outside the United States and Canada
Contact your local crisis line, mental health service, or emergency services. If you are unsure where to begin, contact a trusted health professional, hospital, or community organization for guidance.
Connection can begin with one message
Starting the conversation does not require perfect wording. It can begin with a text that says, “I’m thinking about you,” a phone call, or an invitation to sit together.
If someone does not want to talk, you can still let them know you are available. Respect their space while continuing to check in appropriately. If you are concerned about their immediate safety, do not wait for the perfect moment or perfect words: contact crisis or emergency support.
For additional mental health and community-support information, visit the Roy Jones on Wheels Helpful Resources page. You can also learn more about Roy Jones on Wheels and its support-advocacy mission.
Support-advocacy disclaimer
Roy Jones on Wheels provides support advocacy, resource navigation, and motivational encouragement. Roy Jones is a mental health, disability, and chronic pain support advocate and is certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). MHFA is a crisis response training certification and not a clinical license or medical credential. Roy Jones on Wheels is not a crisis line and does not provide crisis intervention, emergency services, therapy, diagnosis, or medical care. This article is for general educational information and is not a substitute for individualized clinical advice. If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call emergency services. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988 for crisis support.
Start the conversation today: Reach out with care, listen without judgment, and help connect people with support. One compassionate check-in can be an important step toward connection.
Evidence-based sources
Comments