In crisis? Call or text 988 (US & Canada) Text HOME to 741741 Elsewhere: findahelpline.com

September 2026

Suicide Prevention Month 2026

Suicide Prevention Month is observed every September. This page covers 2026: the key dates, the organizations taking part, and how to help. It also holds a free library of media assets for anyone promoting the month.

Key dates

September 2026

Three observances sit inside one another. The month holds the week, and the week holds the day.

Suicide Prevention Month

September 1 to 30

All month

National Suicide Prevention Week

September 6 to 12, United States

Sept 6–12

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10, a Thursday in 2026

Sept 10

The basics

Key things to know

A short orientation for anyone marking the month for the first time.

1

It goes by several names

Suicide Prevention Month, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month all refer to the same September observance. You will see all three used.

2

Teal and purple are the colors

The suicide prevention awareness ribbon is teal and purple. Yellow is also widely used, particularly for youth suicide prevention. Exact hex values are on the media resources page.

3

How you say it matters

Established safe messaging guidelines shape how suicide is discussed publicly. They are short, practical, and worth reading before you post. More below.

4

Anyone can take part

You do not need to be affiliated with an organization. Sharing accurate information and crisis line numbers within your own circles is a meaningful contribution.

5

Help exists year-round

Crisis lines operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year, not only in September. In the US and Canada, 988 connects to trained counselors by call or text.

Free to use

Media assets for Suicide Prevention Month

Ribbons, color palettes, social banners, printable posters and web badges. Free to download and use, with no account and no attribution required. The designs are quiet enough to sit on an organization's page without looking out of place.

Browse the library
  • Awareness ribbon SVGs and PNGs
  • Copy-and-paste hex codes
  • Sized social banners and headers
  • Profile picture frames
  • Printable posters and flyers
  • Email signature and web badges

Take part

How to get involved

Share crisis resources

The single most useful thing most people can do. Post the 988 number, or findahelpline.com for an international audience, somewhere your own network will see it.

Learn to recognize warning signs

Several organizations offer free training in how to notice that someone is struggling and how to start the conversation. Most take under an hour.

Walk, run, or fundraise

Community walks take place across September and into the autumn. Most are organized regionally, so check the organizations listed below for events near you.

Support an organization

Crisis lines, research, and prevention programs are largely funded by donations. Our donation page lists established places to give.

Who takes part

Organizations marking the month

A non-exhaustive list of established organizations that run campaigns, events, or resources during September. We are not affiliated with any of them.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Funds research, offers education programs, and organizes the Out of the Darkness community walks each autumn.

United States

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The US national crisis line, reachable by call, text, or chat. Publishes its own media and partner materials for the month.

United States

International Association for Suicide Prevention

Coordinates World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and sets its global campaign theme.

International

The Trevor Project

Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people, including a 24/7 crisis line.

United States

The Jed Foundation

Focuses on emotional health and suicide prevention for teens and young adults, working directly with schools.

United States

SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)

One of the earliest suicide prevention organizations in the US; publishes public education and safe messaging material.

United States

Samaritans

Free 24-hour listening service across the UK and Ireland, reachable on 116 123.

UK & Ireland

Crisis Text Line

Free 24/7 support by text message, with services in several countries.

International

Before you post

Safe messaging, briefly

How suicide is described publicly has a measurable effect on people who are struggling. Established guidelines exist and they are short enough to read in a few minutes.

The consistent recommendations: always include a crisis line; describe suicide as preventable and help as effective; avoid describing methods or locations; avoid presenting it as inexplicable or as a response to a single cause; and avoid language that frames it as a choice made successfully or unsuccessfully.

The two most widely used references are Reporting on Suicide and the safe messaging guidance published by SAVE. Every asset in our media library is designed to be consistent with them.