Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Every Conversation Makes a Difference
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around having honest, open conversations that can foster hope and healing.
Every act of listening, every check-in, and every outpouring of care and concern makes a difference when it comes to suicide prevention. Suicide prevention is complex; it’s not always predictable, it’s not always preventable. Our goal is to help you understand the warning signs and take steps to guide individuals towards the help they need because knowing how to respond can save lives.
Numbers You Should Know
As of 2022, New Hampshire’s age-adjusted suicide rate was 16.6 per 100,000 people, which is 44% higher than the national average at the time. The state’s suicide rate has increased by 61.2% over the past two decades.
- In 2022, 247 people died by suicide in NH
- NH ranked 12th in the country for its suicide death rate in a 2024 analysis of 2022 CDC data.
- Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for residents aged 10-44.
- It is the fourth-leading cause of death for ages 35-44 nationwide.
- Rural areas often have higher suicide rates due to limited access to mental health services.
- In 2021, one in four high school students in the greater Manchester region had seriously considered attempting suicide. Among high school students statewide, 25% seriously considered suicide in the year prior to 2022.
Staying Silent Can Cost Lives
Suicide doesn’t discriminate. While it’s often an uncomfortable conversation to have with someone you care about, not saying something can cost everything. Recognizing warning signs in ourselves and others is the first step towards support and prevention.
Signs of suicide symptoms aren’t always overt, and they’re not always present. However, here are some that can clue you in to the fact that an individual may need help.
Emotional
- Hopelessness
- Intense anger
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Extreme mood swings
Behavioral
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
- Engaging in risky or reckless behavior
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
Verbal cues
- Talking about death or wanting to die
- Expressing feelings of being a burden
Take Action
If you’re concerned about an individual or are having suicidal thoughts yourself, don’t wait. Time is of the essence.
There are several actions you can take immediately:
- Start a conversation: listen actively and allow them to open up without judgment.
- Take it seriously: never dismiss someone’s feelings or the severity of their situation.
- Connect them to professional support or resources: Encourage them to dial (or do it together) 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HELLO to 741741. The NH Suicide Prevention Council provides specific resources for caregivers, veterans, students, and more.
- Follow up: checking in regularly matters more than you know.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert
You don’t need to be an expert to save a life and make a difference. Together, we can build supportive, caring communities that normalize conversation around mental health. We can reduce the stigma in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, and we can share resources openly. A caring, compassionate spirit and a willingness to be there as a support system for someone may change their lives forever. Together, we can bring hope.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
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