Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Photo by Jack Kiyonaga

Dept. of Health News Release

This year is the inaugural designation of September as “Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month” for the state of Hawaii. This recent enactment coincides with the globally recognized World Suicide Prevention Day, observed each year on Sept. 10.

“We must do more as a state to build more connection and more resilience in our communities, as we know these protect us from severe mental health challenges and prevent suicide,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, M.D. “This is a personal issue for me and my family, as we’ve lost loved ones to suicide. There are too many families who have a similar experience and none of us wants to see another family go through the same heartbreak and loss.”

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) and its partners will conduct numerous events to increase public awareness of suicide prevention education, resources and support available to individuals, families and communities.

The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) named suicide as “an urgent and growing public health crisis.” Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Hawaii residents. On average, almost four people die from suicide every week. A total of 1,050 residents died from suicide from 2019 to 2023. Both suicide and suicide attempts have lasting economic, emotional, mental and physical health impacts.

More than 76 percent of individuals in Hawaii who died by suicide were men. Men ages 20 to 59 had the highest risk for suicide death. Women ages 15 to 19 had the highest risk for suicide attempts.

There are three events for Molokai, in addition to statewide events.

On Sept. 10, Sign-waving with Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. youth, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. will take place at the Molokai Public Library. For information, email Dane Kaʻae at dane.kaae@meoinc.org.
On Sept. 21, the Molokai Out-of-The-Darkness Walk will take place from 4:30 p.m. to sunset at the Molokai Canoe Club. For information, contact U‘ilani Kiaha at 808-757-0460.

Lastly, on the second Tuesday of the month adult survivors of suicide loss bereavement support group will be organized by Na Puʻuwai. For information, email Anuhea Beair at ipc@napuuwai.org or call 808-560-1060.

If you are struggling, resources are available. Help is just a call, text or chat away.

The Hawaii CARES 988 is a free crisis, mental health and substance use call center. Locally trained and qualified clinical and crisis call center staff provide supportive counseling and screening for urgent or emergent mental health or substance use needs, recommendations for behavioral health assessments, services and crisis interventions. Call or text 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit hicares.hawaii.gov.

To participate in a free, anonymous online suicide prevention training, visit health.hawaii.gov/emsipsb/injury-prevention/suicide-prevention/.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawaii Chapter brings people together from all backgrounds. To learn more, visit afsp.org/hawaii. Visit Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force website for local resources at sites.google.com/hawaii.edu/pshtf/home.