Diverse group of people sitting in circle in group therapy session.

"This month serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in tackling this critical issue," said Newell, who specializes in family wellbeing.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a call to action for individuals, communities and organizations to come together and address the profound issue of suicide. In 2022, Iowa was ranked 16th for suicide mortality in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"With 590 suicide deaths in Iowa in 2022, we are higher than the national rate of suicides in every age bracket," Newell said. "Each year, suicide rates in Iowa continue to increase, leading to the question: What can we do to help save a life from suicide?"

Suicide is a preventable kind of death, and one person has the ability to step up and help save a life. "Evidence shows that providing support services, reducing access to means of self-harm, talking with the individual about suicidal thoughts, feelings or plans, and following up with the individual we are concerned about can help save a life," Newell said.

Iowans can improve their ability to support family, friends or colleagues who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts. ISU Extension and Outreach delivers Mental Health First Aid training as well as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training. To enroll in either training, contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

These trainings can help you learn some of the warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide, such as expressions of wanting to die, feeling like a burden, giving away belongings, withdrawing from social interactions, increasing substance use, referring to oneself in the past tense and experiencing severe mood swings.

Several national and state hotlines and messaging services are focused on preventing suicide and can be a resource if you or someone you know is in crisis:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.

Your Life Iowa. Call 855-581-8111 or text 855-895-8398 for trained counselors who are available to provide free, confidential support and connect individuals to resources.

Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans and their loved ones can text 838255 or dial 988, then press 1 to get 24/7 confidential crisis support. Many of the responders are veterans themselves.

The Trevor Project. Text "Start" to 678-678, call 866-488-7386 or chat on the Trevor Project website. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to support people under 25 who are in crisis, feeling suicidal or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk. The Trevor Project specializes in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

SAMHSA's National Helpline. Call 800-662-4357 (HELP) or text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U) for free, confidential treatment referrals and information for individuals and families in need. The helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year and has English and Spanish language options.

Iowa Concern. Call 800-447-1985 to reach the ISU Extension and Outreach hotline. Resource services are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week at no charge. Iowa Concern has access to an attorney for legal education, stress counselors, and information and referral services for a wide variety of topics.