September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promoting actions that can help save lives. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), an average of 135 suicide deaths occur each day, with an estimated 2.2 million suicide attempts in 2024 alone.

Callaway District Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program is joining communities across the country in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and reminding individuals and families that support is within reach.

This year’s campaign theme, “Help and Hope Are Close By,” focuses on the importance of connection, conversation, and access to care. For many people, especially older adults, emotional distress can be difficult to talk about. Feelings of grief, isolation, anxiety, depression, or hopelessness deserve compassionate support and timely care.

“Suicide prevention begins with awareness, listening, and helping people feel supported,” said Callaway District Hospital’s, Senior Life Solutions. “Through this campaign, we want our community to know that help can begin with a conversation, a trusted provider, a loved one, or a local resource. Hope can feel closer when people know they do not have to face difficult moments alone.”

Callaway District Hospital’s, Senior Life Solutions is an outpatient mental health program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults. The program provides support for older adults (65+) experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, isolation, or other emotional and behavioral health concerns. Services may include group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ongoing support from a caring clinical team.

Throughout September, Callaway District Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions encourage community members to join us in wearing your best purple and teal attire on Fridays in September, dedicated to raising awareness and showing support for those affected by suicide and mental health struggles.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 'September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.'

One of the most important aspects of suicide prevention is knowledge, which often comes from the books we read. This year to help bring understanding to our community, the Nigel Sprouse Memorial Library will set up a display of suicide awareness/mental health books along with other informational materials, flyers and handouts from Senior Life Solutions.

The biggest event will be our annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk, Run or Ride! All community members are welcome to walk, run or ride a bike, UTV, golf cart, etc. around Morgan Park and join us for BBQ lunch anytime between 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on Thursday, Sept. 17. This event is sponsored by Callaway District Hospital, Senior Life Solutions and the Suicide Prevention & Awareness Coalition (Amy Lewandowski). Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to learn more about mental health and suicide prevention, engage in activities, and connect