September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Over 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide every year.¹ That’s 1 person every 40 seconds.² And for every completed suicide, there are 25 suicide attempts.³

In the United States, suicide rates have surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, with increases in every age group except older adults, according to According to a recent federal data analysis.

To put it into perspective:

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10-24-year-olds worldwide (World Health Organization).
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 10-24-year-olds in the United States (Centers for Disease Control).
• Suicide is the 1st leading cause of death of 10-24-year-olds in Utah (Utah Public Health Data Resource).
• 90% of people who die by suicide also lived with mental illness (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

The Church provides resources to help members understand suicide and to support individuals who are affected by suicide:

1. A Gospel Topic page that explains doctrines and principles that relate to suicide. Learn about the recent update to this page.
2. Church magazine articles about suicide in the September issues of the Ensign, Liahona, New Era, and Friend.

More resources will be published over the coming days about suicide.

As you share this information with your friends and family, you may wish to use the hashtags #SuicidePrevention, #SuicideAwareness, #itsokaytotalk, or #ChoosingToLive.

¹ World Health Organization
² World Health Organization
³ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention