Each September, we have an opportunity to talk about a topic that is too often kept quiet, hushed, and rarely discussed openly – suicide.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and though this is something we should be acknowledging year-round, this month brings it to the forefront of conversations and news as people open up about this topic. We often avoid discussions of suicide due to the stigma around it and the intensely personal situations that also surround the issue.

For mental health professionals and advocates, this month’s recognition is a chance to share stories and shed light on how it can be prevented. No one thinks it can happen in their family, but from 2012 through 2016, almost 2,000 Mississippians died by suicide, and on average, one person dies by suicide every 23 hours in our state.

The Centers for Disease Control announced this summer that suicide rates have risen in nearly every state. The CDC reported that in 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans over the age of 10 died by suicide, and suicide is one of only three leading causes of death that is on the rise.

Here in Mississippi, there was a 17.8 percent increase in deaths by suicide from 1999 to 2016. While that increase is less than the overall national increase of 25.4, any increase should be unacceptable to us.

While we may not realize it, each and every person who dies by suicide affects many more people. That’s why it’s so important to have conversations about suicide awareness and to understand the risk factors and warning signs of people struggling with suicidal thoughts. If anyone is struggling with thoughts of harming themselves, they should know there is always help available and it’s OK to reach out to a loved one, a trusted friend, or to call a help line.

Preventing suicide involves everyone in a family and in a community. Anyone can speak up and offer help. Healthcare providers can make sure to refer patients to other clinicians or even online resources. Employers can work to create healthy work environments and encourage people to seek help for any kind of physical or mental health issue. Even in reporting on suicide, the media can help by sharing resources or perhaps by avoiding publicizing details when a death by suicide happens in their communities.

With that said, it’s important for people to realize that speaking up about suicide does not increase the risk of someone else dying by suicide. Many people who have struggled with suicidal thoughts have discussed how relieved they were when someone finally recognized their warning signs, reached out, and asked them if they needed help.

It is also important for people to know the warnings signs they need to look out for when someone may be thinking of suicide. Besides statements directly threatening harm, phrases like “I wish I wasn’t here anymore” or “I wish this would all just end” could be warning signs. Other warnings signs include increased alcohol use or drug use, withdrawal from friends and family, and significant changes in someone’s mood.

One situation that is often misinterpreted is when someone moves from a period of strong unhappiness or depression toward calm or contentment. Many people interpret that as someone turning the corner and reclaiming some cheer and joy, but it can also mean the person has come to peace with a decision to take his or her own life.

Asking about suicide is difficult to do, but it is necessary. We need to know what to look for if we’re going to offer help, and we’re going to need to offer help to save lives.

Two years ago, DMH joined with a variety of partners to release the first Mississippi Suicide Prevention Plan, assessing and implementing suicide prevention strategies and efforts throughout our state.

Those activities have included DMH’s first Suicide Prevention Symposium, attended by educators, medical professionals, law enforcement, and more. The second annual symposium was held just this month and was also a success.

Other activities have included coordination with the Department of Education to develop a model school policy on suicide prevention, as well as identifying online training that has been utilized by more than 60,000 school district employees. DMH employees have also conducted more than 100 in-person trainings in the past year alone, reaching more than 6,600 school nurses, school resource officers, parents, and others. DMH’s Shatter the Silence campaign has also reached more than 4,000 youth through 77 presentations, and has included promotion of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line, available by texting the number 741-741.

We are working to make sure everyone knows they should never hesitate to ask for, or to offer, help. You never know when a simple question could save a life.

Diana Mikula is executive director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.