Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Month

September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. Everyone has a role in preventing suicide.

This month, challenge yourself to get involved. Attend a training or event, or choose an activity from below! To see if there are events in your area, check out the Events Calendar. For ideas on ways you can get involved, we’ve compiled a list of activities you can support in your community. Don’t forget to add your event to the Events Calendar!

Campaigns

  • Promote the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on your website, Facebook, or other social media pages. SAMHSA has created these social media shareables. 
  • Link to Bethe1SD.com on your website, Facebook, or other social media page. 
  • Work with your local radio and television stations to broadcast the Bethe1SD PSAs found under the Press Kit at Bethe1SD.com. 
  • Utilize the Bethe1SD digital content on your website and social media. For digital content, visit the Press Kit on Bethe1SD.com
  • Hashtag your social media posts with #Bethe1, #Bethe1SD, #SDSuicidePrevention, and #SuicidePreventionMonth.
  • Provide targeted outreach to at-risk populations utilizing our other campaign materials, which include LGBTQ, American Indian and the military. Click here to order materials. 

Promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

  • Promote the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on your website, Facebook, or other social media pages.  SAMHSA has created these social media shareables.  
  • Order and utilize window clings to promote 988 in your community. You can order window clings, wallet cards, magnets, and much more.
  • Distribute 988 one pagers in your community.  
  • Publish warning signs on flyers or note cards and distribute among your community, including 988 on all materials. You can download the 988 logo.
  • Promote the availability of behavioral health resources in your community, including 988. Find help and more information by dialing 211 and text your zip to 898211.

Awareness Activities

  • Host a suicide awareness walk.
  • Host a balloon release in memory of those lost to suicide.
  • Host a suicide prevention town hall or forum, and invite public officials. 
  • Host a “Walk Up” event at your school, where students identify strengths in others by writing them on sticky notes and posting them on one another’s lockers. 
  • Provide best practices to your local media on reporting deaths by suicide. 
  • Have a “Wall of Hope” at your place of work or school, where individuals identify why living is important to them.
  • Provide presentations to local schools and organizations, and provide resources.
  • Collaborate with local organizations to promote activities and raise funds. 

Media Coverage

  • Forward on the state press releases for publication locally.
  • Publish the Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation.
  • Write an op-ed to your local paper. 
  • Contact local media to provide coverage at your events.
  • Work with your local television or radio stations to broadcast PSAs. 

Resources

For questions, contact the Department of Social Services at 605-367-5236 or e-mail DSSBH@state.sd.us.