State Department of Health Recognizes National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Department Focuses on Prioritizing Mental Health, Raising Awareness About the Power of Reducing Stigma and Encouraging Open and Honest Conversations

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Offers Support 24/7 For Anyone Experiencing Emotional Distress

ALBANY N.Y. (September 26, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month by encouraging New Yorkers to remember the lives lost due to suicide and to show compassion and support to those who have been impacted by suicide.

"Suicide is a social issue that affects everyone no matter their race, gender or socioeconomic status," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "We must continue to prioritize mental health, raise awareness about the power of reducing the stigma around suicide and have open and honest conversations on how to prevent them. I also urge New Yorkers to extend kindness and compassion to everyone they encounter because some people are fighting internal battles that we don't see or hear."

"Suicide prevention starts with one simple message to anyone feeling down or depressed – there is always help available," Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. "And one of the most effective ways to get help is to call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides around-the-clock access to a trained counselor. As Suicide Prevention Month continues, we urge all New Yorkers to recognize that there is no shame in seeking help and that there is always someone nearby to listen."

Suicides and self-harm injuries are a growing public health concern.

Suicide claims the lives of roughly 1,700 individuals annually in New York. It is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the age of 25 and 34, and the third leading cause of death for youth and young adults between the age of 10 and 24.

This month, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation and announced a new statewide, multimedia campaign to help prevent suicide and promote mental health. Legislation S1865B/A6563A — the Student Lifeline Act requires colleges across New York State to print information about the State's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on all student ID cards.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects New Yorkers to trained crisis counselors 24/7. They can help anyone thinking about suicide, struggling with substance use, experiencing a mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Residents can also call, text or chat 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

In conjunction with Suicide Prevention Month, the Governor and the State's Office of Mental Health (OMH) launched a $5 million campaign to raise awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

OMH also announced that nearly $3.7 million in federal funding has been awarded to help prevent suicide among at-risk youth and young adults on Staten Island. Administered by OMH's Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the funding over five years will help implement the 'MISSION' project, which combines clinical interventions for at-risk youth and young adults with suicide prevention approaches.

OMH launched a pilot program aimed at increasing mental wellness among workers in the Capital Region's construction industry. Developed by OMH's Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the Building Hope Through Action program will focus on the construction industry, an industry with one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.

The Department remains committed to providing information to New Yorkers about suicide prevention efforts and eliminating the stigma around suicide. The Department also shares data with the OMH via our syndromic data related to suicide ideation, the New York Violent Death Reporting System and through online resources like the NYS Health Connector.

More information on suicide and Self-Harm Injuries can be found here.