09/19/2026
September is Su***de Prevention Month, and itโs especially meaningful for those of us in the first responder community.
Every day, we face situations that most people never seeโand while weโre trained to help others, many of us carry silent burdens of our own.
๐ฐ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐. Recognizing the signs of emotional stress or suicidal thoughtsโchanges in behavior, withdrawal, hopelessness, or unusual mood shiftsโcan make all the difference.
And one of the most powerful tools we have is simply starting the conversation.
If youโre worried about someone, ๐๐จ๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฌ๐ค ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ if theyโre thinking about su***de. Itโs not harmful to askโoften, itโs the lifeline they need to feel seen, supported, and safe.
๐๐ค ๐ข๐ฎ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฉ ๐ง๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ค๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐จ: ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐ค๐ฃ๐. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐๐จ ๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐, ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐จ๐จ.
Letโs continue to look out for one another and help break the stigma around mental health.
If you ever need support immediately, resources are available 24/7 at 988.
If you are a first responder in Summit County...or contiguous counties...and would like to make an appointment during business hours, contact us at the Safety Forces Support Center, 330-376-0091.