Change the Narrative

Since 2008, September has been recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration realized that suicide is the second leading cause of death in ages 10-24 and the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States. With this, the organization extended the original Suicide Prevention Week of September 6th-12th up to a whole month, which is meant to reduce stigma and encourage individuals to fight through their mental health battles. 

One in five people struggles with mental health, and around 1.2 billion people worldwide are diagnosed with a mental disorder (NIMH, and WHO). Mental disorders can affect education, physical health and safety, interests, and social life and relationships. When you struggle with a mental health disorder, daily tasks can feel hard, due to lack of motivation and low mood. The most frequently diagnosed disorders are anxiety and depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 50% of those who struggle with these diagnoses are suicidal or have experienced suicidal thoughts. Being suicidal comes in many different forms, such as active or passive thoughts. When you are actively suicidal, there is a plan to end your life, whereas when you are passively suicidal, you have no will to live but no plan set in motion. Both are equally harmful and important to bring prevention awareness to. 

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 integrated a telephone number into the law, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which gets over 3,000 calls daily and has been commended on their rapid and compassionate support. September 8th is an inaugural celebratory day to promote the hotline through social media posts and hashtags. There are many accounts on social media that prioritize positive messages and awareness of what mental illness truly is, and September is a highlighted month for those accounts. Not only that, but throughout the month there are educational seminars, memorial walks, and campaigns. There are many mental health advocacy organizations, some of the largest being National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, and Active Minds, which use advanced technology like digital formatting and telehealth to reach and inform people about mental health. Each year, the slogan for prevention month is switched; in 2026, it is “Change the Narrative on Suicide.” The goal is to shift from struggling in silence to being listened to with understanding, and to find ways to reduce stigma towards mental illness. Integrating prevention is important every day, not just the month of September.

Suicide prevention doesn’t require a grand gesture– it can even be the simplest of tasks. It is giving somebody a hand, spending time with others, making someone smile, or giving people hugs. Suicide prevention is a simple “How are you?” and choosing to be kind in a world that can be so cruel. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are many resources to support you. Choose to get help, whether it's within the school district or just approaching someone you trust. You are more than the things you go through, and your life has value.

To learn more or seek help, you can visit:

www.psychcentral.com, www.mentalhealth.com, www.adaa.org, and www.nimh.nih.gov

On Instagram: @fightthroughmentalhealth, @yourmentalhealthisapriority, @happinessproject and @thepositiveminds

At North Hills:

1. The Stand Together club does 3 projects per year to reduce stigma and spread awareness.
2. The Chill Room in the library classroom can help you calm your feelings, through conversation and a quiet atmosphere. If you need, the counselors can help get you set up with a therapy service.
3. See your guidance counselor in the CRC
4. The SAP program helps identify and lower learning obstacles for all students