Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month every September is a time when we must come together as a Northshore community to support family and friends by making sure that they have the appropriate resources to prevent suicide and seek assistance. Sept. 10, 2023 was World Suicide Prevention Day, but this work continues each and every day. The goal is to help raise mental health awareness so that people living with mental illness can live better lives with dignity.  

Resources (National and Local):

• Call or Text 988
  988 is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential mental health hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network, where callers receive crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
• Crisis Text Line – Text HEAL to 741741
  Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line trains volunteers to support people in crisis.
• UW’s Forefront Suicide Prevention has put together a list of national, state, and local organizations and resources that can provide trainings, groups, and additional information
• Care Solace
  If you or a family member are looking for ongoing help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential service provided to students and their families by the Northshore School District 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can provide support in any language.

Local Events in Recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month:

• Saturday, Sept. 16: Creating Hope and Resilience – Community Conversations on Suicide Prevention
  Join the Verdant Health Commission at the Lynnwood Event Center on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to learn more about how diverse groups may be more disproportionally impacted by suicide, including youth, Native Americans, older adults, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals. Participants will gain insight into alternatives to suicide and how our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. This event is free. Learn more and register at https://verdanthealth.org/event/creating-hope-resilience-community-conversation-on-suicide-prevention/. 
• Tuesday, Sept. 26: Forefront Suicide Prevention LEARN® Training Webinar
  Developed by Forefront, the five simple and effective LEARN steps empower individuals to help others move in the direction of hope, recovery, and survival. This event costs $10 plus ticket fees. Learn more or register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forefront-suicide-prevention-learn-training-webinar-tickets-659453010707.
• Thursday, Oct. 5: Talking with Teens About Mental Health
  Join therapist Caleb Visser as he helps adults think through how to discuss mental health with teens. His focus will be primarily on identity formation and fostering agency within teens. This is event is free and takes place at Queen Anne United Methodist Church in Seattle. Learn more or register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talking-with-teens-about-mental-health-tickets-705629836837.

This list of local events was compiled by the Northshore School District’s Student Services Department. These activities are not sponsored nor endorsed by the Northshore School District or any of its schools. The district assumes no responsibility for the conduct during or the safety of the activities. Northshore School District shall be held harmless from any cause of action, claim, or petition filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials including attorney's fees and judgment or awards.