September is National Suicide Prevention Month — a time to shine a light on a crisis that touches millions every year.

Here in Boston, local agencies say the work to prevent suicide never stops. Calls for help come in year-round, and responders from police, fire, hospitals and mental-health teams are often the first on the scene to de-escalate crises and connect people with care.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control reports nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023 — roughly one life lost every 11 minutes — and many more people say they’ve considered taking their own life. Those numbers underscore the importance of early help and community-based resources.

“Suicide is not an individual problem, but rather a societal problem,”

says Sarah Lipson, an assistant professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health who studies mental-health trends.

“There are failures at a system level that we must address, for these are the drivers that hold the most potential for large-scale prevention.”

What Boston responders do

When someone is in crisis, getting the right team there fast matters. First responders and crisis clinicians aim first to keep people safe, then to link them with follow-up services — whether that’s outpatient therapy, inpatient care, peer support, or help navigating insurance and transportation to appointments. Follow-up checks and relationship-building are key steps to prevent repeat emergencies, officials say.

“If a person won’t take help the first time, a caring follow-up visit from a trained responder or a community worker can be the difference that keeps them alive,” Lipson notes.

Warning signs

Know the red flags so you can act:
• Talking about wanting to die or looking for a way to kill oneself
• Saying they feel hopeless, trapped, or like a burden
• Marked changes in sleep, appetite, or substance use
• Withdrawal, extreme mood swings, agitation, or reckless behavior
• Talking about revenge or expressing intense rage

What to do
If someone is at immediate risk:

• Do not leave them alone.
• Remove firearms, pills, or other means if it’s safe to do so.
• Call 911 or take the person to the nearest emergency room.
• You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for confidential support 24/7.

Local and National help

• Call or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — for immediate, confidential support.
• Veterans in crisis: Dial 988 then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor.
• Visit mass.gov/MassMen and mass.gov/988

If you’re in Boston and want to learn more about local mental-health resources, community clinics, or ways to support someone in crisis, reach out to your primary care provider or local community health center — and consider visiting Boston-area hospital or public health websites for up-to-date referral information.

No one has to face this alone. If you’re struggling — or worried about someone else — reach out. Small steps, fast help, and ongoing connection can save lives.