September Spotlight: Suicide Prevention, Recovery, and the Launch of 988 Day in New Hampshire

September is Suicide Prevention Month, making it an ideal time to visit the New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Council website and register for the 2024 Annual Prevention Conference. This month offers an important opportunity to pause and acknowledge Suicide Prevention Month, Recovery Month, and, for the first time this year, 988 Day. Information on suicide prevention efforts in New Hampshire can be found at the NH Suicide Prevention Council website: Suicide Prevention in New Hampshire.

Substance misuse and suicide are closely related public health issues, and addressing either one helps reduce the likelihood of the other. The Governor’s proclamation for Recovery Month and a calendar of events throughout New Hampshire can also be accessed via the same website.

This Sunday, September 8, marks the first annual 988 Day, a national initiative aimed at raising awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The success of New Hampshire’s 988 system is due in part to the efforts of stakeholders, from the early implementation days to the growing coalition of members. For those interested in promoting 988 Day and the importance of help-seeking behavior for mental health and suicide prevention, resources can be found on the SAMHSA website: 988 Day Information. The toolkit includes digital and print resources to help spread the word that the 988 Lifeline provides "No Judgment. Just Help."

In New Hampshire, 988 is a critical part of the state's upstream behavioral health support system, represented in the "Strong As Granite" campaign. The campaign encompasses the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the NH Rapid Response Access Point, and 211 to connect to the NH Doorway system. For more information about the "Strong As Granite" initiative and to access toolkits with resources for behavioral health crisis support in New Hampshire, visit the Strong As Granite website.