Special edition - September (suicide prevention)

It is September 2025, and it is officially suicide prevention month. Last year in the us alone, 49,300 people died from suicide, which is 14.7 deaths per 100,000 people and an increase from 14.2 in 2022. In 2025, the current statistic globally is that 740,000 people have died by suicide.

In England, 5,275 deaths occurred in 2022, and in Australia, 3,249 deaths occurred in 2022.

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Why is the US so high?

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It is estimated that around 13.5 million Americans experienced suicidal thoughts in 2023. Suicide in the US is a complex mix of individual, community, and societal factors. Key drivers include a mental health crisis compounded by a lack of access to care. Only about 47% of mentally ill people in the US get help. Despite growing awareness, a persistent stigma around mental illness and suicide can discourage people from seeking treatment.

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Right now, funding is being cut against suicide prevention, such as the Federal Cuts to the LGBTQ+-specific services on the 988 Lifeline.

In July 2025, the U.S. federal government—via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—stopped funding the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This included ending the management of nearly half of these specialized interactions, losing its $25 million federal contract, and having to lay off over 200 counselors.

SAMHSA defended the decision by saying they would no longer “silo” LGB+ youth services and instead serve everyone via one general 988 lifeline. Critics argued, however, that erasing specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth—who face much higher risks—was fundamentally harmful.

Experts warn that removing tailored services puts LGBTQ+ youth—already at elevated risk—at greater danger, as they may feel less understood or hesitant to seek help without specialized counselors.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and The Trevor Project have urged Congress to reverse the decision immediately. 

States like California, Illinois, Colorado, and Nevada are scrambling to preserve or recreate affirming services through state-funded initiatives and partnerships.

The hotline cut is part of a broader wave of anti-LBGTQ+ policies (e.g., bans on gender-affirming care, restrictive laws in schools), which research shows contributes directly to worsening mental health and increased suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth.

A survey by The Trevor Project revealed:

• 39% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year—the rate was even higher (46%) among transgender and nonbinary youth.
• 90% reported their well-being was negatively impacted by recent politics and discriminatory laws

One comment from an LGBTQ+ youth on Reddit sums it up:

“Anti-LGBTQ+ laws in schools are seemingly ‘negatively impacting the mental health of LGBTQ+ students…’ attending a school with anti-LGBTQ+ policies was associated with ‘poorer mental health and higher [self-harm] risk.’”

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Another factor behind the high rates in the US is access to lethal means, especially firearms. Research shows that suicide attempts involving guns are far more likely to be fatal than other methods. In countries with stricter gun laws, overall suicide rates are often lower.

By contrast, nations like England and Australia have stronger public health systems and more coordinated approaches to mental health care. Universal health coverage makes it easier to receive treatment early, and large-scale public campaigns have worked to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.

Despite the challenges, prevention is possible. Protective factors such as strong community ties, access to crisis services, and supportive workplaces and schools can make a real difference. Expanding mental health services, training healthcare providers, and normalizing conversations about suicide can save lives.

This September, Suicide Prevention Month is not just about raising awareness but also about taking action. Checking in on friends and family, speaking openly about mental health, and sharing resources can help ensure fewer lives are lost. Every person can play a role in prevention, and every life saved matters.

Sources:

 - The CDC

- The World Health Organization

- The ONS UK

- The Australian Bureau of Statistics

- The NAMI

- The SAMHSA

- The Trevor Project surveys

- The CDC - Suicide and Firearms

- The International public health literature