September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

September is recognized as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, an important time to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and promote resources that support people experiencing emotional distress. Suicide prevention is relevant to everyone, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who may face unique challenges that can affect their mental health and well-being. 

September 10 is also World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” provides an opportunity to recognize and address the increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicidal actions among people with IDD.

People with IDD may experience social isolation, bullying, trauma, loss, communication barriers, discrimination, and difficulty accessing appropriate mental health services. At times, signs of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts may be overlooked because changes in mood or behavior are attributed to a person’s disability. This makes awareness, careful listening, and individualized support especially important.

Over the past several months, NCSS has focused on reviewing and enhancing START tools and practices to support a comprehensive response to the increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicidal actions among people with IDD and mental health needs (IDD-MH). In addition to revisions to several START tools, a workshop was held for START teams to increase understanding of suicidality in IDD-MH and apply this knowledge through the use of the revised tools. 

To share this critical information more broadly across our network, this topic will kick off our 2026-2027 National Online Training Series. Join us on September 18 for our first live session: Crisis Supports and Suicide Prevention for Individuals with IDD.   

The START Model has always emphasized the importance of prevention in crisis work. Suicide prevention begins with creating environments where people with IDD feel safe, valued, heard, and connected. The START network plays a critical role in prevention through its systemic approach, bringing together families, direct-support professionals, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners. By strengthening their ability to recognize changes in mood or behavior, ask direct and compassionate questions when concerns arise, and connect individuals with appropriate communication supports and mental health services, we can help ensure that people with IDD receive the support they need.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month is also an opportunity to remind us that every person deserves to have their concerns taken seriously and to have meaningful opportunities for connection, choice, and self-advocacy. By reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and improving access to appropriate supports, we can help people with IDD build resilience, strengthen connections, and know that they are not alone.

Awareness saves lives. Listening matters. Every person deserves support, hope, and the opportunity to be heard.