What June Reminds Us: Talking Openly About Suicide Could Save a Life

Every June, as Suicide Prevention Month begins, there’s a quiet heaviness that settles in for many. Not because the conversations around suicide are new, but because they’re often delayed — buried under stigma, discomfort, or the fear of saying the wrong thing.

But the truth is: talking about suicide doesn't make it more likely. Silence does.

The Weight of the Numbers

In the U.S., suicide is the 11th leading cause of death, according to the CDC’s most recent data. In 2022 alone, over 49,000 people died by suicide — the highest number recorded in American history. That’s nearly one person every 11 minutes.

For young people aged 10 to 24, suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death. It’s not just statistics, though. It’s faces. Families. Futures that never got the chance to unfold.

Men account for nearly 80% of suicides, even though women are more likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts. This speaks volumes about the gendered stigma that surrounds vulnerability — especially in cultures where “being strong” is mistaken for staying silent.

Mental Health Isn’t Always Visible

One of the most painful realities of suicide is that those struggling often seem “fine.” Many are high-functioning, smiling, even posting positively on social media — all while battling internal chaos. According to a Harvard Medical School report, “hidden depression” is increasingly common, particularly among men, professionals, and students.

This is why prevention isn’t just about crisis intervention. It’s about upstream efforts — creating a culture where emotional check-ins are normalized long before someone reaches a breaking point.

What Causes Suicide? (It's Not Just One Thing)

Suicide is rarely the result of one single factor. It’s often a perfect storm of:

• Mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anxiety.

• Life events such as financial hardship, relationship loss, job loss, or trauma.

• Chronic pain or illness that affects quality of life.

• Substance use which can intensify impulsivity and hopelessness.

• Social isolation and lack of meaningful connection.

• Stigma that prevents people from seeking help.

What’s worse is that even when someone does try to seek help, the system often fails them. Long waitlists for therapy, high costs, or dismissive responses from loved ones can reinforce feelings of being a burden.

What Actually Helps?

1. Connection — even small ones

Research from Dr. Thomas Joiner (Florida State University psychologist and suicide researcher) points to three major contributors to suicidal thinking: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability for self-harm. In short — people often don’t want to die; they just feel like they don’t matter, they don’t belong, or they’re in unending pain.

Reaching out — even with a short message like “Hey, I’ve been thinking of you” — may sound small. But in the right moment, it could literally break the spiral of isolation.

2. Normalizing Help-Seeking

Just like you’d go to a doctor for chest pain, seeing a therapist or psychiatrist should be no different. Mental health hygiene should be as routine as brushing your teeth. The more we talk openly about therapy, medications, and coping skills, the less shame others feel for doing the same.

Many people hide their struggles because they’re afraid they’ll be seen as “weak” or “too much.” But vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s clarity. And clarity saves lives.

3. Creating Safety Nets

If someone tells you they’re suicidal — take it seriously. Always.

Don’t assume it’s attention-seeking or temporary. You don’t have to have the perfect response. Just listen without judgment, stay present, and help them get connected to a crisis line or professional.

Here’s what not to say:

• “You have so much to be grateful for.”

• “Others have it worse.”

• “Don’t say that.”

Here’s what you can say:

• “I’m really glad you told me. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

• “This sounds incredibly heavy — I’m here, and I want to help.”

• “Would you feel okay if we called a therapist or helpline together?”

Real Voices, Real Stories

In a TEDx Talk by Kevin Hines, a suicide survivor who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, he shares something deeply chilling: “The millisecond my hands left the rail, it was instant regret.”

Kevin lived — but thousands who took similar steps didn’t. His story isn’t just one of survival — it’s a call to action: that moments of darkness are often fleeting. And that support at the right time can pull someone back from the edge.

Stories like Kevin’s — or those shared in the #RealConvo campaign by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) — are powerful because they remind us that healing is possible. But only when the shame is stripped away.

If You’re Struggling — Please Know This

You are not broken. You are not a burden. You are not weak for feeling overwhelmed.

There is help. There is hope. And there are people — whether friends, strangers, or professionals — who would rather sit in silence with you than lose you to it.

You don’t have to do this alone.

National Resources (U.S.)

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime, 24/7

• Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ support): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

Final Take

Suicide Prevention Month shouldn’t just be a box we check in June. It’s a mirror held up to society — asking us to reevaluate how we show up for each other. How we check in. How we speak about pain. How we normalize getting help.

You don’t need to be a therapist to help prevent suicide. You just need to be present, open, and willing to sit with discomfort.

If you are reading this and are currently struggling in anyway, please i beg you, reach out to someone. There is always someone out there that cares for you.