DOH, PARTNERS TO SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH STATEWIDE Multiple Agencies Care, Connect and Collaborate

HONOLULU — The state of Hawai‘i recognizes September as “Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month,” with the 10th of September observed globally every year as World Suicide Prevention Day.

Suicide remains a serious public health challenge with long-lasting effects on individuals, families and communities. The most recent results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) showed an estimated 13.9 million U.S. adults aged 18 or older had serious thoughts of suicide in 2025. In Hawai‘i, suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death overall. Adults aged 25-34 years old have the highest rate of suicide.

Suicide prevention in Hawai‘i is a comprehensive effort between state, community, military and federal partners. Hawaiʻi was one of the first states to establish a statewide suicide prevention gatekeeper training network, as well as one of the first states to host an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ʻPaws for Prevention’ event. The state has also received multiple major federal grants providing suicide prevention resources for youth, state workers, farmers, first responders, veterans and rural communities.

“Suicide prevention isn’t the work of one agency or one program — it’s the work of an entire community,” said Governor Josh Green. “From our first responders and our schools to our neighbors and loved ones checking in on each other, every single connection matters. This Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, I’m asking all of us to be part of that effort.”

“Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that depends on compassion, connection and community,” said Dr. Gavin Takenaka, Adult Mental Health Division administrator, Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH). “During Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, we encourage everyone across Hawai‘i to learn the warning signs, reach out to one another — and remind those who may be struggling that help is available and hope is real.”

From training to sign waving to walks, multiple agencies are doing their part to bring awareness to suicide. Among the partners supporting events this month is the Prevent Suicide Hawaiʻi Task Force.

“The coordinating role of the taskforce is instrumental to saving lives and forwarding Hawaiʻi’s Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention (titled ‘Cultivating Well-being and Resilience Across Our Islands Through Connection, Caring, and Collaborating’),” said Danielle Bergan, statewide co-chair of the Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Task Force. “We are so grateful for the task force’s collective passion and dedication to Hawaiʻi’s suicide prevention movement. While we dedicate September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness month, the task force network operates daily in communities across Hawai‘i, empowering everyone to realize their role in preventing suicide and emphasizing that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

“Hawai‘i has incredibly dedicated suicide prevention partners and advocates, but you don’t have to be an expert to save lives,” said Renee Yu, suicide prevention public health educator for the DOH Emergency Medical Systems of Care. “We can all do our part to prevent suicide by listening, making connections and reducing stigma through our everyday interactions.”

If you are struggling, resources are available. Help is just a call, text, or chat away.