September Is Suicide Prevention Month

September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, encouraging conversations about suicide, and reminding people that help is available.

Suicide prevention isn’t just about recognizing warning signs. It is about creating a culture where people feel comfortable saying, “I’m not okay,” and where those around them feel comfortable asking, “Are you okay?”

Talking about suicide does not cause someone to become suicidal. In many cases, having an open and compassionate conversation can provide an opportunity for someone to share what they are experiencing and connect with support.

How Can We Help?

There are simple things each of us can do to support suicide prevention:

• Check in on the people you care about. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open an important conversation.
• Listen without judgment. You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes being present and listening is one of the most meaningful things you can do.
• Take warning signs seriously. Changes in behavior, withdrawing from others, expressing hopelessness, talking about death or suicide, or giving away possessions can be signs that someone may need additional support.
• Encourage professional help. Therapists, counselors, physicians, crisis counselors, and other professionals are available to help.
• Don’t be afraid to ask directly about suicide. Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea in their head. It can give them permission to be honest about what they’re experiencing.
• Keep the conversation going. Suicide prevention isn’t something we should talk about only during September. Mental health deserves our attention all year long.

Most importantly, you do not have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. You can make a difference simply by being willing to notice, listen, care, and connect someone with help.

As a therapist, one of the things I value most about this profession is the opportunity to remind people that their current circumstances do not have to define their future. There can be hope even when someone cannot see it for themselves yet.

This September, I encourage everyone to help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Check on your people. Start the conversation. Listen. Be kind. And if you are struggling, please know that asking for help is not a weakness—it is an act of courage.

You matter. Your story matters. And there is help available.

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Meet Your Therapist:
Why I Chose This Profession

Hello! My name is Shelby Fleetwood, and I’m a mental health therapist here at SICHC. I wanted to take a moment to share a little about myself and, more importantly, why I chose a career in mental health.

Becoming a therapist was never simply about choosing a career path. I have always been drawn to understanding people—their experiences, their emotions, their relationships, and the things that shape who they become. I believe that sometimes people don’t need someone to “fix” them; they need someone who is willing to sit beside them, listen without judgment, and remind them that they don’t have to navigate difficult seasons alone.

My work as a therapist has allowed me the privilege of meeting people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Every person who walks through my door has a unique story, and I am continually reminded that there is so much strength in asking for help.

One of the reasons mental health awareness is so important to me is because mental health affects all of us. You never truly know what someone may be carrying behind a smile, at work, at school, or even within their own home. Creating spaces where people feel safe talking about their mental health can make an incredible difference.