Suicide Awareness: Breaking the Silence, Building Hope

shealynclinger
3 days ago
3 min read

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but this vital conversation matters every single day. At Cerebral Counseling & Consulting, we believe that compassionate, informed conversations about suicide can truly save lives.

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. In 2022, more than 49,000 people died by suicide, marking the highest number recorded to date Wikipedia USU News. Despite this, stigma and silence still keep many from speaking up—and from seeking help. That’s why we say: It’s always better to ask—even when you're unsure—it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Why Talking About Suicide Matters

Contrary to common myths, research shows that asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk—it can reduce it. By offering support and opening the dialogue, we help break down isolation and stigma Wikipedia USU News.

Prompts to Open the Conversation

If you're worried someone may be struggling, try using direct, empathetic language:

“I’ve noticed you’ve been quieter lately—are you thinking about suicide?”
“Sometimes when people feel overwhelmed, such thoughts cross their mind. Are you feeling that way?”
“I care about you. Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”

Tip: Avoid vague or indirect phrases like “You wouldn’t do anything like that, would you?”—they can increase shame and avoid transparency.

🚨 STOP: If Someone Says "YES"

If someone shares that they are considering suicide:

	STOP STEPS
🛑 Do Not Leave Them Alone	Stay present, offering calm reassurance.
🛑 Remove Means of Self-Harm	Clear out medications, weapons, or other dangerous items.
🛑 Call 911 Immediately	If there's imminent risk, don’t hesitate—call emergency services.
🛑 Connect to Crisis Services	Encourage using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).
🛑 Stay With Them	Wait with them until help arrives or you're sure they're safe.

You are not alone. Anyone in crisis—even loved ones—can get help. Taking immediate action shows them that they're not invisible, and that their safety matters profoundly.

What to Do When There's No Immediate Danger

When someone expresses suicidal thoughts but there's no immediate danger, follow these steps:

Listen Without Judgment – Let them speak, and really hear them.
Validate Their Experience – Say, “That sounds unbearable—I’m here for you.”
Ask About Their Plan – “Have you thought about how you might harm yourself?”
Collaborate on a Safety Plan – Identify trusted contacts and coping tools.
Provide Resources – See below for local and national contacts.

Local & National Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988, available 24/7 for confidential support.
Prince William County Community Services Board – Emergency Services: 703-792-7800
NAMI Northern Virginia – Support line: 703-524-7600
Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988 and press 1 (for military-connected individuals)
Cerebral Counseling & Consulting – For neurodiversity-affirming therapy and trauma support (visit our www.cerebral-counseling.com).

Suicide Prevention Training for Providers via CDP

Providers play a critical role—and training empowers them to do it safely and effectively. The Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) offers evidence-based suicide prevention trainings for professionals, including the two-day Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) module. These trainings cover risk assessment, safety planning, and culturally specific competencies for military and veteran populations deploymentpsych.org +1 Wikipedia.

Explore and register for upcoming trainings here:CDP Suicide Prevention Training Calendar deploymentpsych.org +1

The Core Message

At Cerebral, our belief is simple: Every conversation has the power to save a life. Asking about suicide isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being present, listening with care, and following through to ensure safety and connection.

Call to Action

Share this blog to spread awareness and reduce stigma.
Providers: Consider enrolling in CDP’s telehealth suicide prevention or CBT-SP workshops.
If you or someone you know is struggling: reach out, call 988, or connect with mental health professionals—help is always within reach.

References

Bryan, C. J., Mintz, J., Clemans, T. A., Leeson, B., Burch, T. S., Williams, S. R., & Rudd, M. D. (2017). Effect of crisis response planning vs. contracts for safety on suicide risk in U.S. Army Soldiers: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 212, 64–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.01.028
CDC. (2023). Provisional suicide deaths, 2022. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
Dazzi, T., Gribble, R., Wessely, S., & Fear, N. T. (2014). Does asking about suicide and related behaviors induce suicidal ideation? What is the evidence? Psychological Medicine, 44(16), 3361–3363. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291714001299
Rudd, M. D., Bryan, C. J., Wertenberger, E., Peterson, A. L., Young-McCaughan, S., Mintz, J., … Bruce, T. O. (2015). Brief cognitive-behavioral therapy effects on post-treatment suicide attempts in a military sample: Results of a randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(5), 441–449. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14070843