Events announced for Hawai‘i’s inaugural Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Suicide is personal for Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green and his family. They have lost loved ones who chose to take their own lives.

“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,” said the governor, adding the state must step up to build more connection and resilience in communities, as those are both known to protect people from mental health challenges and prevent suicide.

This September marks the inaugural Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month in Hawai‘i, coinciding with the globally observed World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10 each year.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health and its partners plan numerous events statewide and in each of the state’s 4 counties to increase public awareness for suicide prevention education, resources and support available to individuals, families and communities.

“Communities across Hawai‘i can join together to prevent suicide by increasing hope, help and healing,” said Deborah Goebert, co-chairperson of the Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Task Force. “We can all create a space for hope through our actions. One act of aloha can make a difference and save a life.”

The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named suicide as “an urgent and growing public health crisis.”

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Hawai‘i residents. On average, almost 4 people die from suicide every week. A total of 1,050 island residents died because of suicide from 2019 to 2023.

Suicide and suicide attempts have lasting economic, emotional, mental and physical health impacts.

More than 76% of people in Hawaiʻi who died by suicide were men. Men ages 20 to 59 years old had the highest risk for suicide death. Women ages 15 to 19 years old had the highest risk for suicide attempts.

“I once heard a suicide loss survivor say suicide does not have a typical face,” said Renee Yu, suicide prevention coordinator for the state Health Department Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch. “It’s important to remember there is never one cause for suicide; many factors can either contribute to or protect someone from suicide.”

Yu said effective suicide prevention needs to address different aspects of suicide at the same time. That requires collaboration at all levels.

“It means checking on the people you care about, and always taking someone’s mention of suicide or suicidal thoughts seriously, every time,” added Yu. “When in doubt, talk to a trusted friend, family member or mental health professional. Together, we can help each other and save lives.”

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

Here is a look at upcoming 2024 Suicide Prevention Month events as well as available resources for those who need help.

Statewide:

• Sept. 17: Death Education and Resilience for Frontline Death Workers, a free webinar by the Hawai‘i National Violent Death Reporting System and Delaware Health and Social Services, is from 9:30-11 a.m. For information, email zeruirenee.yu@doh.hawaii.gov.
• Through September: Critical Incident Stress Management trainings for police, fire, EMS and water safety first responders. Sponsored by the the state Health Department Adult Mental Health Division.

Hawai‘i Island:

• Sept. 3-4: Applied Suicide Interventions Skills Training by the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Hilo. For information, email Melody Bell at mbell@cfs-hawaii.org.
• Sept. 1-30: Poster banners to be displayed at Hilo and Keaʻau.
• Sept. 10: Sign-waving with Hawai‘i Island Prevent Suicide Task Force, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College; 4:30 p.m. at UH-Hilo. For information, contact Yolisa Duley at hipreventsuicide@gmail.com.
• Sept. 21: Sign-waving and resource tables with Hawai‘i Island Prevent Suicide Task Force, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at along Kamehameha Avenue on Hilo Bayfront (across from King Kamehameha statue). For information, email Yolisa Duley at hipreventsuicide@gmail.com.
• Sept. 22: Sign-waving with Together with Veterans at Hilo. For information, email Deborah Funai at twv.hawaii1@gmail.com.

Resources:

• Hawai‘i 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 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, click here.
• To learn more about suicide prevention in Hawai‘i, participate in free, anonymous online suicide prevention training, click here.
• Hawai‘i Poison Center provides help for poisoning emergencies. Call 1-800-222-1222. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, click here.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawai‘i Chapter brings people together from all backgrounds. To learn more, click here.

Visit the Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Task Force website for additional local resources.