Building Connections. Fostering Hope. Saving Lives.
Every September, communities across the country observe Suicide Prevention Month. For some, it is a time to honor and remember someone they have lost. For others, it is a reminder of a difficult season they survived, or an opportunity to find hope in one they’re currently facing. And for many, it is a reminder that a simple conversation, a caring connection, or a moment of compassion can help change the course of someone’s life.
Although suicide affects every state and every community, Montana continues to experience one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Behind every statistic is a family member, a friend, a coworker, a classmate, or a neighbor.
While Suicide Prevention Month shines a light on the challenges we face, it is equally a reminder that suicide is preventable and that every one of us has a role to play in creating a more connected, compassionate community.
So, what do we hope people will do differently this September and continue doing in the months ahead?
Notice one another. Check in with someone and simply ask how they are doing. If you are concerned about someone, don’t be afraid to ask directly about suicide. A conversation will not put the idea into someone’s head. Instead, it can open the door to honesty, connection, and help.
Listen. We don’t need to have the perfect words or know how to fix someone’s problems. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is listen without judgment, stay present, and let someone know they do not have to face a difficult moment alone.
Know where to turn. Become familiar with the warning signs of suicide and the local resources available to people who may be struggling. Learn about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline so you can share this resource with those in your circle. You don’t need to be in crisis to contact 988, it is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Keep the conversation going. Suicide prevention is not just a September activity. The connections we build and the conversations we begin this month can continue throughout the year.
Project Tomorrow Montana works year-round with organizations and partners across Missoula County to strengthen suicide prevention and help build a community better prepared to recognize and respond to suicide risk. During Suicide Prevention Month, several opportunities will bring that work directly into the community.
– August 31: Project Tomorrow Montana will address the Missoula City Council as September 6–12 is proclaimed Suicide Prevention Week.
–September 3: Project Tomorrow Montana will address the County Commissioners’ Public Meeting as September 6–12 is proclaimed Suicide Prevention Week.
–September 8: An event for members of the service industry, Suicide Prevention and Nervous System Regulation, will provide an opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen skills for supporting one another and the people you serve. 11 AM-1 PM at the Missoula Public Library Cooper Room.
–September 22: Free community QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training. Open to anyone 16 and older wanting to learn more about suicide prevention. 3:30-5:00 PM at Missoula Public Health, 301 W Alder, Room 210.
–September 27: Community members will come together for the Out of the Darkness Walk, an opportunity to remember those we have lost, support those affected by suicide, and continue building hope and connection. www.afsp.org/fivevalleys
Most importantly, Suicide Prevention Month is a reminder that thoughts of suicide don’t have to be faced alone. What feels hopeless today may feel different tomorrow. Your willingness to notice, ask, listen, and help connect someone to support can make a difference, and can help someone reach their tomorrow.
Suicide Prevention Month is more than a date on the calendar. It is an invitation to notice one another, to have conversations that matter, and to remind people they are not alone. Every act of kindness, every conversation, and every connection strengthen the community we all share.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
