Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention Across Generations
Understanding Risks, building awareness, and fostering hope.
September marks Suicide Prevention Month, a vital time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and equip communities with the tools to intervene and support those at risk. Suicide remains a major public health issue in the United States, with over 49,000 deaths by suicide in 2023, translating to one death every 11 minutes. While the national suicide rate has surged over the past two decades, reaching approximately 14.2 per 100,000 in 2022, this month offers an opportunity for prevention, connection, and healing.
Suicide and Adolescents
Adolescence is a period of rapid growth marked by physical, emotional, and social transitions. While it is often a time of self-discovery, it can also bring overwhelming stress, pressure, and feelings of isolation. These challenges can increase vulnerability to mental health struggles, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Because teens are still developing critical coping skills, support systems, and identity, they may be at greater risk of seeing suicide as a way to escape emotional pain.
Suicide remains a serious public health concern among high school–aged youth. It was the third leading cause of death for youth ages 14–18, with 1,952 deaths in 2023 (a rate of 9.0 per 100,000). Alarmingly, the most recent national data shows the depth of the crisis:
40% of U.S. high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
20% seriously considered suicide in the past year.
16% made a suicide plan.
9% attempted suicide.
These statistics are not just numbers, they reflect real teens struggling with pain, often in silence. The data underscores the urgent need for awareness, early intervention, and open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Parents, educators, and peers play a critical role in providing support, fostering resilience, and connecting adolescents with professional resources when warning signs appear.
By breaking stigma, creating safe spaces, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors, communities can make a meaningful difference in saving young lives.
Suicide and Young Adults (Ages 18–25)
Young adulthood is a period filled with rapid transitions and self-discovery. Between ages 18 and 25, many individuals are navigating identity formation, academic demands, early career pressures, and shifting relationships. These challenges can create high levels of stress and uncertainty, making this stage of life particularly vulnerable to mental health struggles and suicidal behavior.
Statistics highlight the seriousness of the issue:
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 20–24.
12.2% of young adults reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year.
Approximately 2.0% of young adults attempt suicide annually.
Several factors contribute to this risk:
Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder often emerge in late adolescence and early adulthood.
Relationship stress, including breakups, family conflict, or peer difficulties, can heighten feelings of isolation.
Social isolation or lack of meaningful connections may intensify hopelessness, especially in a digital world where comparisons and online pressures are common.
The good news is that supportive relationships and professional help are powerful protective factors. Family members, mentors, friends, and mental health professionals can provide encouragement, guidance, and a safe space to talk through challenges. Seeking therapy or counseling during this stage can help young adults build coping skills, develop resilience, and navigate transitions with confidence.
Suicide and Adults (Midlife, Ages 35–64)
Midlife can be one of the most demanding seasons of life. Adults ages 35–64 often find themselves balancing multiple pressures at once—work stress, caregiving responsibilities for children or aging parents, financial demands, and emerging health challenges. This combination of stressors makes midlife adults particularly vulnerable to suicide, a reality that deserves more open discussion and awareness.
Statistics highlight the urgency: adults between 35 and 64 years old account for nearly half of all suicides in the United States, with an age-adjusted suicide rate of 16.3 per 100,000. This age group consistently shows elevated risk, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Some of the most common risk factors for suicide in midlife include:
Chronic illness or ongoing health problems, which can contribute to feelings of hopelessness.
Economic hardship, including job loss, financial instability, or the stress of providing for a household.
Relationship breakdowns, such as divorce or family estrangement, which may leave individuals feeling isolated.
Untreated depression and other mental health conditions, which often go unnoticed or minimized during busy midlife years.
At the same time, there are powerful protective factors that can reduce risk and foster resilience:
Timely intervention from trained professionals can help identify warning signs early.
Access to mental health services, including counseling, therapy, and medication when appropriate, provides essential support.
Strong social connections, whether through family, friends, faith communities, or peer networks, act as buffers against despair.
Breaking the silence around midlife mental health is critical. With greater awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations, we can ensure that those in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s feel supported, valued, and connected to life-saving resources.
Suicide and Older Adults (Ages 65+)
Aging is a natural stage of life, but for many older adults, it can bring unique emotional and physical challenges. Isolation, bereavement, and declining health often create conditions that increase vulnerability to depression and suicide. Recognizing these risks and addressing them with compassion and culturally sensitive care is critical to supporting the mental health and overall well-being of older adults.
Elevated Suicide Risk Among Older Men
Research highlights a striking statistic: men aged 85 and older have the highest suicide rate of any age group in the United States (55.7 per 100,000 people). This number reflects not just individual struggles but also societal challenges around how we support aging adults. Unlike younger populations, where peer networks or professional supports may be more accessible, older men often face barriers to reaching out for help.
Firearms and Suicide in Older Adults
Firearms remain the most common method of suicide among older men. The combination of accessibility, familiarity, and lethality makes firearm-related deaths especially concerning in this population. Conversations about firearm safety, safe storage, and open communication within families can be life-saving measures.
Risk Factors for Suicide in Older Adults
Several factors contribute to higher suicide risk in older adulthood:
Loneliness and social isolation – A lack of meaningful connection is one of the strongest predictors of depression and suicidal ideation.
Loss of independence – Difficulty with daily activities, driving, or mobility can create feelings of burden or hopelessness.
Chronic pain or declining health – Ongoing medical conditions and reduced quality of life can intensify despair.
Bereavement and grief – The loss of a spouse, close friend, or family member can be a powerful trigger for depression and suicidal thoughts.
Protective Factors and Prevention Strategies
The good news is that suicide risk in older adulthood can be reduced through proactive support and prevention efforts. Key protective strategies include:
Regular screening for depression and suicide risk in primary care and mental health settings.
Increasing social engagement through community programs, volunteer opportunities, or support groups that reduce isolation.
Accessible mental health services tailored to older adults, including therapy, grief counseling, and support for managing life transitions.
Encouraging family involvement and open conversations about emotional well-being, grief, and firearm safety.
Supporting Quality of Life in Later Years
Suicide prevention in older adults is about more than reducing risk—it’s about improving quality of life. Building strong support systems, addressing loneliness, and fostering purpose can make a profound difference. Therapy can provide a safe space to process grief, manage chronic health challenges, and find meaning in aging.
Culture Factors and Suicide
Culture can be understood as the shared beliefs, values, customs, traditions, language, and worldviews that shape how people understand themselves and relate to others. It influences how individuals express emotions, cope with stress, and seek help. Recognizing the role of culture is vital in suicide prevention because mental health challenges are not experienced in isolation—they are shaped by the social and cultural environments in which people live.
The importance of culture lies in its ability to either protect or increase risk. When communities have strong cultural identity, supportive traditions, and connectedness, these serve as protective factors against suicide. Conversely, experiences of stigma, discrimination, racism, historical trauma, or cultural disconnection can intensify feelings of hopelessness and isolation. For this reason, culturally competent care—approaches that honor identity, values, and lived experiences—is essential for prevention and healing.
Certain groups face disproportionate risks due to the intersections of culture and social pressures:
LGBTQ+ youth: Nearly 40% seriously considered suicide in the past year, often due to stigma, family rejection, and discrimination.
Indigenous and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) teens: Nearly 1 in 4 have contemplated suicide, and about 12% have attempted. The impacts of historical trauma, systemic inequities, and barriers to culturally grounded care make this an urgent crisis.
Veterans: In 2022, there were 6,407 Veteran suicides compared to 41,484 among non-Veteran U.S. adults. Military culture, experiences of trauma, and challenges reintegrating into civilian life contribute to these elevated rates.
By acknowledging culture as both a context and a resource, suicide prevention efforts can move beyond a “one-size-fits-all” model and instead focus on strategies that are inclusive, affirming, and deeply connected to the communities most affected.
Contributing Factors & Warning Signs
Suicide is rarely caused by a single factor. It is complex, with no single predictor and often the result of a combination of mental health challenges, trauma, stress, and environmental pressures. Experiences such as childhood abuse, bullying, family conflict, social rejection, academic struggles, or substance use can increase vulnerability. Warning signs to watch for may include:
Expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden
Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or personality
Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
Talking about death or wanting to disappear
Giving away personal items or belongings
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
When multiple risk factors or warning signs appear, timely and compassionate intervention can make a critical difference.
Protective Factors Against Suicide
While risk factors increase vulnerability, protective factors can significantly reduce the likelihood of suicide and strengthen resilience. Strong social connections with family, friends, or mentors provide a sense of belonging and emotional support. Access to mental health care, including therapy and counseling, fosters coping skills and problem-solving abilities. Positive school or workplace environments, community engagement, and involvement in meaningful activities further buffer stress. Additional protective factors include cultural or spiritual connections, hope for the future, and developing healthy coping strategies such as mindfulness, physical activity, and creative outlets. Together, these supports help individuals navigate challenges without resorting to self-harm.
Suggested Actions for Parents, Educators, and Peers
Adults and peers play a critical role in suicide prevention by creating supportive, observant, and responsive environments. Encourage open conversations about mental health and normalize seeking help when struggling. Monitor for warning signs such as changes in mood, social withdrawal, or talk of hopelessness, and intervene early with compassion rather than judgment. Provide information about crisis resources and ensure that professional support is accessible when needed.
You may even consider utilizing a preventative tool and developing a personalized Safety Plan (see sample). Safety plans outline specific coping strategies, supportive contacts, and steps to take during a mental health crisis, helping individuals feel prepared and connected.
Modeling healthy coping strategies, reinforcing a sense of belonging, and maintaining consistent, non-judgmental communication are equally important. Even small gestures such as checking in regularly, validating feelings, or simply listening can make a significant life-saving difference. By combining vigilance, compassionate engagement, and structured planning, parents, educators, peers, and loved ones can provide meaningful protection and hope for someone at risk.
Community Resources/Support
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, or 988.
The service is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Available. In English and Spanish. Through partnership with Language Line Solutions, interpretation for more than 240 additional language are provided. Send any message to 988 to start a text conversation.
For TTY Users - Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
For Veterans - dial 988, then press 1 or s end a text message to 838255
A national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention service for LGBTQ+ youth.
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
Final Thoughts: Building Hope Together.
September’s Suicide Prevention Month invites us all to pay attention, act with compassion, and spread hope. Across adolescence, young adulthood, midlife, and older adulthood, suicide touches diverse lives and often upstream factors like mental health disparities, isolation, and cultural stress accumulate in silence. Together, we can save lives by recognizing warning signs, fostering inclusive communities, and getting involved with supportive advocacy organizations.
Healing Starts with Reaching Out.
From teens navigating new pressures to older adults experiencing loneliness and isolation, every story deserves to be heard. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the signs, having honest conversations, and connecting to support.
At ACM, LLC, we believe therapy can provide a safe space to work through painful emotions, build resilience, and restore hope. No matter your age or background, your life has meaning and we would be honored to walk alongside you on the path to healing.
Further Reading and Resources
For Adolescents & Teens:
The Gift of Second: Healing from the Impact of Suicide by Brandy Lidbeck
A compassionate resource for survivors of suicide loss, providing guidance and hope during the healing process.
Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws by Kate Bornstein
A creative and empowering guide offering over 100 alternatives to suicide, encouraging teens to find meaning and connection.
Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens: 100 Practical Ideas by Alan Wolfelt
This book offers 100 practical ideas to help teens cope with grief and loss, providing comfort and understanding during challenging times.
For Adults:
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
A memoir detailing the author's battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, offering insight and hope for those struggling.
Grieving a Suicide: A Loved One's Search for Comfort by Albert Hsu
A heartfelt exploration of grief following a suicide, providing comfort and understanding for survivors.
The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: CBT Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide by Kathryn Hope Gordon PhD
A workbook offering cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to manage suicidal thoughts.
Disclaimer: The suggestions provided above are solely for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized support.s. Neither I nor this platform has any financial or other affiliation with the authors, publishers, or distributors of these materials. Please choose resources that best suit your unique needs and preferences. The links to external websites that are not maintained or controlled by ACM, LLC. These links are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of the content, accuracy, or safety of the linked websites. By clicking on any external link, you acknowledge and agree that ACM, LLC is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of external sites. We encourage you to review the terms, conditions, and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
Join the Conversation!
What strategies have you found helpful in supporting a loved one struggling with suicidal thoughts?
Which protective factors like community, support networks, or healthy routines have made a difference for you or someone you know?
