Suicide Prevention Month in NC: Events to Raise Awareness This September
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and communities across North Carolina are coming together to raise awareness and provide support. At REAL Crisis Center, we know firsthand the devastating impact suicide can have, which is why we believe engaging in outreach and education around prevention is so vital.
This September, we encourage you to get involved by participating in the various events happening statewide. Attending community gatherings, walks, races, trainings, and talks is a meaningful way to show your support to those affected by mental health struggles and suicide, help break the stigma, and learn more about available resources.
We’ve compiled a list of notable events focused on suicide awareness and prevention happening in North Carolina this month. From Fayetteville to Asheville, Charlotte to Concord, there are opportunities across the state to get involved. We hope you’ll join us and the greater community this Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to spread a message of healing and hope. Together, we can make a difference.
Events in Fayetteville and Eastern NC
Hold Onto Hope: Community Connection for Suicide Prevention
Friday, September 15
Fayetteville, NC
About: 3rd Annual Community Event for Suicide Prevention hosted by the Fayetteville Link for Veterans, Service Members, and their Families.
- Dinner
- Speakers
- Panel Discussion
- Resources
ASIST 2-Day Training
Thursday, September 21 & Friday, September 22
Raeford, NC
About: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. Over the course of the two-day workshop, participants will learn to:
- Understand the ways that personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions
- Provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs
- Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
- Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large
- Recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention
Out of the Darkness N2 the Light 5k walk/run
Saturday, September 23
Middlesex, NC
About: This 5K event will shine light on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Funds from this race will support our first responders with mental health training and programs.
Targeting a Solution: a panel exploring Veteran suicide prevention
Saturday, September 30
Fayetteville, NC
About: The Independence Fund is excited to host Targeting a Solution: a panel exploring Veteran suicide prevention in Fayetteville next month. Featured Guests Include Tim Kennedy, Dakota Meyer, and Dan Hollaway.
Events in Charlotte and Central NC
5K Suicide Prevention Walk/Run
Saturday, September 16
Concord, NC
About: Get ready to lace up your running shoes and come together for a meaningful cause. On Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 9:00 AM, we will kick off the 1st inaugural event at 329 McGill Avenue Northwest, Concord, NC 28027. We will have licensed Mental Health Counselors and Providers on site for resources and support. This in-person gathering aims to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized, and no one feels alone. So, grab your friends, family, or even your furry companions, and let’s take a step towards a brighter future. Register now and be a part of this impactful event!
Out of the Darkness Central Carolina Walk
Sunday, September 24
Fuquay-Varina, NC
About: The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
Suicidality and the Spirit: A Community Suicide Prevention Training
Friday, September 29
Online or In-Person in Durham, NC
About: This FREE, HYBRID (in-person and online) training event is for Faith Community Representatives, Pastors, Clergy, Veterans, anyone interested in learning about intersections of experiential avoidance, suicidality, and safety planning.
Events in Asheville and Western NC
Mental Health Matters: Walk/Run for Awareness
Saturday, September 23
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Join us on Saturday, September 23rd at The University of North Carolina – Asheville’s campus for a day of fresh air, exercise, and music. Come network with a gathering of County and City leaders, business leaders, nonprofit partners, and many WNC residents that support effective mental health solutions for those with barriers to access.
Online Events
If you can’t attend an in-person event this September, there are still ways to show your support for suicide prevention virtually. Technology allows us to come together even when we can’t be there physically.
Participating in livestreams, webinars, online training courses, and social media campaigns is a great way to get involved in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month no matter where you are. We’ve included some notable virtual events focused on suicide prevention education and awareness that you can join in on remotely. We hope you’ll take part in one of the impactful virtual events happening nationally this September.
Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) Suicide Awareness Training
Asynchronous
About: Our FREE online training courses teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you’re worried about.
Facebook Live: Youth Suicide Prevention
September 19
About: In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a Facebook Live event on youth suicide prevention.
FRSAN-NC “Question, Persuade, Refer” (QPR) Training
September 28
About: QPR is a national program that aims to decrease suicide and save lives using suicide prevention steps and assisting individuals in finding resources to help. Through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network-NC (FRSAN-NC) this training is provided at no cost to those who live, work, or serve the agricultural community.
Through awareness, education, and community support, we can break the stigma and connect more people with life-saving resources. This September, we encourage everyone to participate in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month events, whether locally in North Carolina or virtually. Together, we can spread hope and be beacons of hope in our communities.
If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, you are not alone. Help is available right now: call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 to speak with a trained counselor who can provide coping strategies, connect you with local resources, and start you on the path to hope and recovery.
