Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries!
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time when we are collectively reminded of something that should never leave our hearts: every life matters, every story is still unfolding, and every person deserves the chance to keep writing their journey.
This month can feel heavy. It brings awareness to a topic many of us find difficult to sit with, let alone talk about. Suicide is one of the most complex human struggles, it can carry layers of mental health challenges, trauma, societal pressures, isolation, grief, and silence. Yet, at its very core, suicide prevention is about hope. It’s about remembering that no matter how many painful chapters you have endured, your story is not finished.
As a therapist, I have seen how powerful it can be when people begin to believe their narrative is worth continuing, even if right now it feels full of hardship. Healing rarely looks like erasing the past or pretending the pain didn’t happen. Instead, it looks like adding new pages, creating new meaning, and finding ways to carry your story forward.
Human beings are natural storytellers. From cave paintings to novels to late-night talks with friends, we have always sought meaning through narrative. Our lives are not static; they are fluid stories with beginnings, conflicts, climaxes, and turning points.
When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, they often feel stuck in a single painful chapter. They may believe the worst moments define the entire story, that there will be no resolution or no reason to turn the page.
Think about your favorite book or movie. Imagine if it ended halfway through, at the moment when the main character was struggling the most. We’d never know the resilience, the breakthrough, or the beauty that came after. Suicide is that premature ending—the loss of all the chapters still unwritten.
Why This Month Matters
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Each of those individuals is a son, daughter, friend, parent, neighbor, colleague, a person with dreams, talents, and potential chapters left to live.
Awareness months like this one are not about statistics alone. They are about breaking stigma, encouraging open conversation, and reminding people that support exists. Too often, suicide is spoken of in whispers, avoided in conversations, or brushed off as something “too heavy.” But silence is dangerous. Silence isolates.
When we talk openly about suicide, we normalize seeking help. We remind people that they are not broken, not a burden, and not alone.
Practical Reflections
So what does it mean to keep writing your story? Here are some reflections, both for those who are struggling and for those who want to support loved ones.
1. Acknowledge the Current Chapter
It’s okay to admit that the chapter you’re in right now feels unbearably painful. Pretending everything is fine doesn’t serve healing. Naming the struggle, whether it’s depression, anxiety, grief, or trauma, takes courage. When we acknowledge our reality, we begin to take back authorship of the story.
2. Imagine the Unwritten Pages
When suicidal thoughts take hold, it can feel like there is no future worth living for. But none of us can predict what lies ahead. Think of the unexpected joys you have already experienced in life: the friendships you never saw coming, the moments of laughter that surprised you, the small wins that gave you hope. More of those may still be waiting. What if the next page holds a moment that changes everything?
3. Lean Into Connection
Stories are rarely written alone. Every life is woven with the presence of others, people who care, people who want to listen, people who want to walk alongside you. Reaching out may feel impossible, but connection is one of the strongest antidotes to despair. Whether it’s calling a trusted friend, speaking with a therapist, or joining a support group, your story expands when you allow others to be part of it.
4. Shift From Endings to Transitions
It’s important to remember that endings can exist within life too. Jobs end, relationships end, chapters close. Those endings can feel devastating, but they are not the end of you. They are transitions into a new storyline. The pain you feel right now doesn’t mean your whole story is finished, it means you are moving through a particularly hard chapter that may lead to a shift you haven’t yet imagined.
5. Write in Small Sentences
Sometimes, keeping your story going means simply writing the next sentence, not the whole book. Instead of thinking, “I need to live forever,” try, “I need to get through today.” Instead of carrying the weight of a lifetime, focus on carrying the weight of this moment. Small sentences add up to chapters. Chapters add up to lives.
For Friends, Family, and Supporters
If you love someone who may be struggling, your role in their story matters more than you might ever realize. You don’t have to have the perfect words, and you don’t need to fix everything. What you can do is show up, listen, and remind them they are not alone in writing the next page.
Ask directly. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research shows this does not plant the idea—it opens the door for honesty.
Listen without judgment. Resist the urge to rush in with solutions. Sometimes, the greatest gift is holding space for their pain.
Encourage professional help. Therapists, crisis counselors, and doctors are trained to support people in these moments. Offer to help make the call or accompany them.
Check in regularly. Consistency builds trust. Even a quick text can remind someone their story matters.
Take care of yourself. Supporting someone in crisis can be emotionally heavy. You are not failing them if you need to rest or seek support yourself.
Breaking Stigma, One Story at a Time
One of the most harmful myths about suicide is that talking about it makes things worse. In reality, the opposite is true. Sharing stories of survival, resilience, and ongoing healing saves lives. Every time someone says, “I once felt like I couldn’t go on, but I’m still here,” they offer proof that other chapters are possible.
If you feel ready, sharing your own experiences, whether in a safe group, through writing, or with a trusted friend, can be profoundly healing for both you and others. Stories connect us. They remind us we are human, imperfect, and resilient.
A Therapist’s Invitation
If you are reading this and struggling, I want you to hear this clearly: your story is not over. You may feel tired, lost, or hopeless, but you are still here, and that means there is still room for another page. Please do not carry this weight in silence. Reach out to a friend, to a counselor, to a hotline. Allow others to hold the pen with you until your strength returns.
And if you are supporting someone, know that your care matters. My support team frequently tell me, “I don’t feel like I’m doing anything to help.” But in reality, if you’re supporting someone then you may never fully realize the impact of your presence, please trust that it can be the lifeline someone needs to turn the page.
Challenge Yourself: A Personal Story Exercise
Since Suicide Prevention Month is about action as much as awareness, I want to leave you with a small but powerful challenge. I like to call the “Mini Reset Plan”
1. Write down one thing that brings you a sense of calm or joy.
2. Commit to doing that one thing at least once this week.
3. Share it with a friend or loved one to add accountability and connection.
Reflective Journal Prompt:
If my life were a book, what would I want the next chapter to hold?
You don’t need to know the whole plot. Just start with a sentence. Maybe it’s, “In the next chapter, I want to feel safe.”Or, “In the next chapter, I want to explore something new.” Let that intention guide you as you keep writing.
Final thoughts from your neighborhood therapist…
September is a month to pause, reflect, and recommit ourselves to valuing every life, including our own. Suicide prevention isn’t just about statistics or campaigns; it’s about daily choices, small acts of courage, and the belief that even in the darkest times, there is always another page waiting.
So this month, and every month, I invite you to carry this mantra: I am going to keep writing my story.
Your story matters.
Your voice matters.
You matter.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for support:
In the U.S., call or text **988** for the Suicide & Crisis Line.
In the U.K. & Ireland, dial **Samaritans at 116 123**.
If you’re elsewhere, please look up your local crisis line or emergency services. Help is available.
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