09/08/2026
Did you know that 1 death by su***de can impact as many as 135 people?
September is Su***de Prevention Month, and this is something we believe deserves more than just a month of awareness.
When we think about su***de prevention, we often think about recognizing the signs, starting the conversation, and helping someone through a crisis. All of that is incredibly important.
But something we don't talk about enough is what happens **after** a su***de.
The people left behind need care, too. Su***de loss can bring such complicated grief — the questions, the guilt, the anger, the sadness, and sometimes feelings that are difficult to even put into words. Supporting su***de loss survivors is an important part of prevention. Postvention is prevention.
We were grateful to attend the Best Practices of Su***de Prevention at Vincennes University and learn more about some of the incredible resources available to our community. We left with a greater appreciation for the people and organizations doing this important work and for the many ways we can better support both those at risk and those who have experienced a loss.
A couple of resources we want to share are:
💙 American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP)— offering education, support, advocacy, and resources for individuals and families affected by su***de. https://afsp.org/
💙 National Association of Retrospective Fatality Analysis (NARFA)— working to learn from su***de deaths and better understand the factors involved so communities can identify opportunities for prevention. https://www.retrospectivefatality.org/
One thing we were reminded of through this training is that prevention really is a community effort.
It can look like checking on a friend. Asking the uncomfortable question. Listening without trying to fix everything. Connecting someone with help. Or simply continuing to show up for someone who has experienced a loss.
We don't have to have all the answers. We just have to be willing to care, to listen, and to keep the conversation going.
Learn about su***de, how you can help prevent it, and resources for those affected, from the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention. Our mission: save lives and bring hope to those affected by su***de