September is Suicide Prevention Month, and a local nonprofit is looking to normalize the conversation around mental health. The Houston Area Suicide Prevention Coalition gained its 501(c)(3) status last year, and Executive Director Dr. Christina Eyman says the goal is to save lives across the greater Houston area through community engagement and informed approaches.
“Families are struggling, the future feels unclear, and suicide rates continue to climb,” says Dr. Eyman. “That’s where the Houston Area Suicide Prevention Coalition comes in.”
In Harris County alone, an average of 570 people die by suicide every year. More than half of those deaths involve firearms. Across the U.S., one person dies by suicide every eleven minutes, and in 2023, 1.5 million suicide attempts were reported.
Dr. Eyman’s nonprofit is now hosting low-cost, interactive workshops designed to help people recognize when a loved one may be suicidal, and how to engage in a supportive way to get them the help they need.
“It really helps you learn the warning signs to look out for, but also how to help in that moment and make a safety plan,” she says.
She adds that the biggest barrier to helping a friend or loved one can be fear—not knowing how to ask if someone is okay, worrying about a negative response, or not knowing where to start.
“What we really try to emphasize is that you don’t have to have all the answers, but you just need to be present. Your presence is what matters the most,” Dr. Eyman says.
The first workshops will be held October 9 and 10 at the Leonel Castillo Community Center. The cost is $25 per person for both days, which includes all instructional materials, lunch, and snacks. For more information or to register, visit houstonareasuicideprevention.org/events-and-education.