Suicide Prevention Month: Reconnecting with Possibility

September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time to open conversations that are too often silenced by fear, shame, or stigma.

Suicidal thoughts are not a diagnosis, and they do not always indicate an immediate intention to die. They may range from wishing to disappear or not wake up to thinking about, preparing, or planning suicide. They can arise alongside depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, isolation, exhaustion, chronic pain, relationship difficulties, or a profound loss of

meaning. All suicidal thoughts nevertheless deserve to be taken seriously and met with compassionate, professional support.

When distress or depression becomes overwhelming, the mind–body system may shift into a state of survival. Attention narrows, energy decreases, and it can become difficult to connect with creativity, imagination, or a sense of possibility. A person may struggle to envision solutions, recognize available resources, or imagine that their circumstances could change. The present situation can begin to feel permanent and without alternatives.

Therapy can help create enough safety and space to explore what lies beneath these thoughts. Through a supportive relationship, a person may gradually regain access to imagination, problem-solving, inner and external resources, and previously unseen possibilities. Over time, therapy can also support a renewed sense of purpose and help rebuild self-confidence and self-esteem.

Complementary well-being practices—including meditation practices, relaxation, creative expression, movement, and connection with nature—may support emotional regulation, embodied awareness, and a more compassionate relationship with oneself. They can help restore the internal space needed to pause, reflect, and reconnect with life. However, these practices do not replace psychotherapy, medical care, or emergency support, particularly during an acute suicidal crisis.

Sometimes, the first step is simply saying: “I am not doing well, and I need someone to listen.” Asking for help is not weakness. It is an act of care and a movement toward life.

If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services. In France, call 3114, the National Suicide Prevention Helpline, available 24/7, or 112 in an emergency. In Canada, call or text 9-8-8, available 24/7, or call 911 in an emergency.