September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Morrison Child and Family Services has clinicians trained in suicide prevention and assessment, and we want families, caregivers, and community members to know what warning signs look like and where to turn for help.

The signs of a crisis are rarely as loud or obvious as we think. They happen in the subtle shifts — a missed text, sudden exhaustion, or a quiet withdrawal from everyday life. The good news is that saving a life doesn’t require clinical training; it starts with knowing what questions to ask and where to turn next. Here is where we at Morrison can provide guidance and help.

The facts

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–34 in the United States, according to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (2023 data). In 2023, an estimated 49,316 people died by suicide nationwide — a rate of one death approximately every 11 minutes.

Recognizing the Signs

Most people who die by suicide show warning signs beforehand, and families and caregivers are often the first to notice.

• Verbal cues: Statements like “I want it to stop,” “You’d be better off without me,” or descriptions of unbearable emotional pain.
• Behavioral changes: Withdrawing from relationships, giving away possessions, changes in sleep or hygiene, or increased risk-taking.
• Mood shifts: A sudden move from despair to calm or cheerfulness can signal that someone has settled on a plan and feels a sense of relief. This is not always a positive sign and should be taken seriously.

What to Do

• Ask directly. Use plain language: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research confirms that asking directly does not plant the idea in someone’s head; it offers relief that the topic is safe to discuss.
• Listen without trying to fix it. Avoid responses like “look on the bright side.” Instead, acknowledge what they’re feeling: “I hear how exhausted you are, and I’m here with you.”
• Reduce access to lethal means. Limiting access during a crisis is one of the most effective prevention steps available, since many suicide attempts occur with little planning and the crisis window is often short.
• Don’t promise secrecy. If someone asks you to keep suicidal thoughts confidential, tell them you care too much to keep something that puts their safety at risk.

Immediate Support Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US & Canada): Call or text 988. Available 24/7, free and confidential.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.

Morrison Child and Family Services: Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment for Youth Ages 0-18

Outpatient Clinic Locations

• Beaverton: 15455 NW Greenbrier Pkwy, Suite 200, Beaverton, OR 97006 | (503) 258-4495
• Gresham: 831 NW Council Drive, Suite 300, Gresham, OR 97030 | (503) 258-4600
• Milwaukie: 4105 SE International Way, Suite 505, Milwaukie, OR 97222 | (503) 258-4545
• Portland: 4425 NE Broadway, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97213 | (503) 258-4555

How to Access Care

• Central Intake Line: (503) 258-4381
• Central Intake Fax: (503) 872-0659

Sources: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, “Suicide Mortality in the United States, 2002–2022,” NCHS Data Brief No. 509 (2024); NIMH, “Suicide” statistics page, citing CDC WISQARS data; Dazzi, T., Gross, R., Gross, T., & Sisti, D. (2014). “Does asking about suicide and related behaviours induce suicidal ideation? What is the evidence?” Psychological Medicine, 44(16).