September Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: You Matter — Connection Can Save Lives

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, strengthen community connections, and remind Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) that #YouMatter, their lives matter, and they do not have to face difficult moments alone.

This year, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Suicide Prevention Team is highlighting our You Matter campaign and a simple but powerful call to action:

Promote Connection. Promote Safety. Promote Support.

Suicide prevention is not about having all the answers. It is about noticing, asking, listening, connecting, and staying engaged — especially when someone may be struggling.

Remembering Those We Have Lost

Behind every number is a person — a Veteran who served, a family member, a friend, a battle buddy, a coworker, a neighbor, someone who mattered deeply.

In 2025, 228 Veterans in Washington State died by suicide. So far in 2026, 118 Veterans have died by suicide in our state.

These numbers represent lives and families forever changed. They also remind us that suicide prevention cannot be limited to one month, one campaign, or one conversation. We honor those we have lost by remembering their lives and by continuing the work to ensure that those who are struggling today know there is hope, support, and connection.

You Matter: Connection Can Make a Difference

Our #YouMatter campaign centers on a message that is both simple and profound: You Matter.

Connection is one of the strongest protective factors in suicide prevention. A phone call, a text, an invitation to coffee, sitting beside someone, or simply saying “I’m here” can open a door when a person feels isolated or overwhelmed.

For SMVF, connection can look like:

Reaching out to a fellow Service Member or Veteran.
Checking in with a friend who has become more withdrawn.
Including someone who may be isolating themselves.
Asking honestly how a family member is doing.
Helping navigate services when someone feels overwhelmed.
Staying with someone during a crisis until additional support is available.
Reminding them that asking for help is an act of strength.

You do not have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. You simply have to be a caring person who notices, asks, listens, and connects.

Notice When Someone Is Different from Their Baseline

One of the most important things we can do is pay attention to changes. You know your friends, family members, coworkers, fellow Veterans, and battle buddies. You may notice when something feels different from their usual behavior — becoming unusually quiet, withdrawing from activities, expressing hopelessness, or seeming overwhelmed. Trust that observation and check in.

You can start with:

“I’ve noticed you don’t seem like yourself lately. How are you doing.”

Or:

“You seem to be going through a lot. I’m here if you want to talk.”

If you are concerned about suicide, it is okay to ask directly:

“Are you thinking about suicide.”

Asking the question does not put the idea into someone’s mind. It opens the door to an honest conversation and helps connect someone with support.

When Someone Is Struggling, Lead with Compassion

Behavioral health challenges can affect anyone. A person in crisis may not act like themselves, may struggle to communicate, or may not know what kind of help they need. Our response matters. Offer compassion instead of judgment. Listen instead of trying to fix everything at once. Acknowledge their struggle instead of minimizing it. Stay connected instead of walking away.

Sometimes the most important things you can say are:

“I’m glad you told me.” “You don’t have to go through this alone.” “I’m here with you.” “Let’s find some help together.”

Know Where to Turn When Crisis Happens

Knowing resources before a crisis happens makes it easier to act when every second matters.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Veterans Crisis Line SMVF can call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or use online chat for confidential support.

If someone is experiencing an immediate life‑threatening emergency, call 911.

Be the Connection

Suicide prevention belongs to all of us. Use September as an opportunity to learn, talk, connect, and take action. Learn the warning signs. Learn how to ask the question. Learn how to respond to someone in crisis. Know where to turn for help.

And most importantly, look around you. Who might need a call. Who has become quieter than usual. Who might be struggling behind a smile. Who have you not heard from lately. Who needs to be reminded that they matter. You do not have to solve someone’s problems. You simply have to show up, ask, listen, and connect.

This September, join WDVA in the You Matter campaign.

Promote Connection. Promote Safety. Promote Support.

Because You Matter — and the person you reach out to today may need that reminder more than you know.

Learn. Connect. Take Action.

The WDVA Suicide Prevention Team provides resources, education, outreach, and support to help communities better serve SMVF. Visit the WDVA Suicide Prevention Team resources and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit to find materials you can share with your family, workplace, organization, community, or Veteran network. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Connection can be the first step toward safety and hope.

For information on no‑cost trainings, outreach events, or questions about supporting SMVF, contact the Suicide Prevention Team at Connect@dva.wa.gov or visit www.dva.wa.gov.

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