Columbia Mental Health is dedicated to supporting your mental health. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we encourage you to reach out for immediate support through your local crisis services by dialing 988, contacting your local emergency services, or visiting your local emergency room.

Every September, communities recognize National Suicide Prevention Month as a time to raise awareness, encourage honest conversations, and share resources that save lives. But beyond awareness campaigns and statistics, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a reminder of something deeply personal: you do not have to wait until you are in crisis to ask for help.

Many people believe that mental health care is only for emergencies or “serious problems.” In reality, everyone deserves support, whether you are facing overwhelming stress, struggling with connection, or simply wanting someone to listen. Mental health care is not about proving you “need” it. It is about giving yourself permission to care for your well-being.

This September, we want to share three practical suicide awareness month mental health tips that anyone can use. These steps can strengthen your day-to-day mental health, reduce suicide risk, and remind you that support is always within reach.

1. Build supportive habits and connections for long-term mental health

Caring for your mental health is not only about what you do in moments of crisis. It’s about the ongoing choices and connections that strengthen your well-being over time. Establishing supportive practices creates a foundation that makes it easier to manage stress and reach out for help when needed.

One of the most powerful habits is talking openly about your mental health with trusted friends, family members, or a counselor. Honest conversations can reduce isolation, break down stigma, and remind you that you are not alone.

Alongside open dialogue, long-term routines, such as prioritizing rest, making space for reflection, or finding meaningful activities, can help support your resilience. These practices are not “quick fixes,” but they can make it easier to recognize when you need extra support and take steps before challenges become overwhelming.

2. Reach out before it feels urgent

One of the most important messages of suicide prevention awareness month is this: you do not need to wait until you are in crisis to reach out for help.

Unfortunately, stigma and misconceptions often stop people from asking for support early. You might feel like your struggles are “not bad enough” or worry about being a burden. In truth, seeking help early is one of the strongest forms of self-care. It can stop small problems from becoming overwhelming, and it can give you tools to handle challenges more confidently.

At Columbia Mental Health, we provide care that meets people where they are. Our services include therapy, psychiatric medication management, and interventional treatments such as NeuroStar® TMS and Spravato®. Whether someone is navigating everyday stress or experiencing intense suicidal thoughts, care is available and personalized.

Remember: you do not have to feel like you are “at rock bottom” to deserve support. Reaching out for therapy or scheduling a check-in with a provider can be a protective step long before a crisis emerges.

3. Know where to turn for immediate help

There will always be times when support is needed right away. That is where crisis resources come in.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, nationwide. By calling or texting 988, you are immediately connected with trained crisis counselors who provide support in the moment and connect you to local resources if needed. The Lifeline is not just for people actively thinking about suicide. It is also for anyone who feels overwhelmed, worried about someone else, or simply needs someone to talk to.

When you reach out, a counselor will listen, provide guidance, and help you feel less alone. These counselors are trained to de-escalate distress and connect you with ongoing care if appropriate. Support is confidential, free, and always available.

Even if you are not sure whether what you are experiencing “counts” as a crisis, reaching out is always the right decision. Calling the Lifeline can reduce immediate distress and lower suicide risk by connecting people to compassionate, professional help.

Breaking the stigma around suicide prevention

Part of the challenge in suicide prevention is breaking down the stigma around mental health. For too long, people have felt pressure to hide struggles or to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a reminder that talking about mental health openly saves lives.

When you speak up about your experiences, you remind others that they are not alone. When you share resources like the crisis lifeline, you give friends and family tools they may one day need. By normalizing conversations about mental health, we make it easier for people to seek support without shame.

Caring for your mental health beyond September

September shines a spotlight on suicide prevention, but the work does not end when the month is over. Daily habits, proactive support, and crisis resources are important all year long.

Think of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month as a starting point:

• A reminder to check in with yourself.
• A reason to reach out to a friend and ask how they are really doing.
• An opportunity to add one small new habit that strengthens your mental health.

Every step counts. You do not have to wait until you are struggling, and you do not need to feel like your situation is “serious enough” to deserve care. Support is for everyone, at every stage of life.

Take the next step for your mental health

Columbia Mental Health is here to help you manage your mental health. For new clients, please click here to schedule an appointment. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.