Actors performing in the play “Right Before I Go” at the Georgetown Palace Theater. Credit: Jon Kniss

By Amanda Mills 

(CONTENT ADVISORY – Mentions of suicide.) 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a time to acknowledge all who have died by suicide or whose lives have been touched by suicide, as well as to spread information and empower one another to take action. Suicide can be difficult to talk about, which is exactly why talking about it is so important. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in 2021 in the United States, 132 people per day died by suicide. In Texas, that equated to 11 deaths per day or about one death every two hours. This is over two times as many as those who died by alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.   

Like drinking and driving, suicide is a public health issue, which means it is preventable at the population level. Suicide is complex and multifactorial, and therefore prevention is as well. Preventing suicide is something everyone can be a part of, whether through learning more, combating stigma, connecting with loved ones, or advocating for high-quality care and treatment.   

Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service has engaged in several efforts towards helping build a suicide safer community. In January 2024, JFS hosted a production of “Right Before I Go,” a play by Stan Zimmerman dedicated to raising awareness and offering hope for suicide prevention. Over 160 community members attended the play and post-show talk-back which focused on how to be a part of preventing suicide.   

In February 2024, two JFS staff members were trained as facilitators of AS+K About Suicide to Save a Life, a gatekeeper training that teaches community partners and stakeholders to recognize suicide risk and protective factors, warning signs, and ways to help prevent a tragedy. Since then, nearly 200 Shalom Austin staff and community members have been trained as gatekeepers to prevent a suicide. JFS staff have also participated in additional training, including Safety Planning Intervention and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means.   

During September, JFS will offer several community events to spread awareness of suicide prevention and instill hope. On September 10 and the surrounding days, there will be Caring Contacts stations at various points across the Dell JCC where community members can write a note or send a text to someone in their life, letting them know they care. By reaching out to others and spreading messages of hope and care, each person can be a part of preventing suicide.   

On September 22, all community members are invited to participate in an AS+K suicide gatekeeper training, where they can learn more about signs of psychological distress and how they can help.   

Lastly, a support event for those who have lost someone to suicide will take place on September 26. The whole community is invited to participate in these events and to get involved in the work to help prevent suicide.   

Each person has a role to play, whether seeking resources to learn more, signing up for updates from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, or saving the number 988 in their phone. Whatever can be done to better understand suicide and support others affected by it is important. No one should go through it alone, and together, people can save lives.  

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, we invite you to attend the following events:

9/10 Reach Out to Loved Ones

9/22 Suicide Prevention Training

9/26 When Grief Isolates: An evening of support for those grieving suicide loss

Together, let’s make a difference and guide a suicide safer community.