By Drew Martel LISW, Chief Clinical Officer
Suicide remains an urgent and often overlooked crisis in the United States—each year, nearly 50,000 lives are lost, making it the 11th leading cause of death overall. For youth and young adults, the situation is even more dire: suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10–34.
To put this in stark perspective—every day, about 135 Americans die by suicide, which equates to a tragedy the scale of a small Boeing 737 crash impacting lives around the clock.
This September, Suicide Prevention Month, we remember the neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family members lost to this heartbreaking epidemic. While the pain they endured was deeply personal, their absence echoes through our communities. Many carried unbearable suffering, often in silence—yet their stories are a powerful call to action.
We honor and center the voices of those who have spoken up—survivors, advocates, and those who have lost a loved one—whose bravery brings awareness, empathy, and hope.
For every suicide death, there are approximately 10 self-harm emergency room visits, 48 self-reported attempts, and 325 people who seriously considered suicide in the past year. These numbers remind us that the visible loss is only a fraction of the widespread struggle rippling through our society.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
-Albert Camus
This September, let us recommit to breaking the silence, offering connection, and building a culture of hope.