Suicide Awareness Month: Hope, Help and Community

Published on September 10, 2026

Written by Jeff Gow, City of Dunedin Commissioner

September is Suicide Awareness Month—a time to recognize that suicide is not just a statistic. Behind every loss is a person, a family, and a community forever changed. In Pinellas County, we are fortunate to have organizations working every day to bring hope, education, connection, and support to those who are struggling.

Speak Up for Mental Health is helping break the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide, particularly among our youth, by teaching that it is okay to talk about mental health and okay to ask for help.

Freeman Sound uses music, education, and community engagement to raise awareness and provide resources for suicide prevention and mental health.

Team Chelsea Foundation reminds us that behind every family touched by suicide is a story of love, loss, and the determination to turn that loss into hope and support for others.

NAMI Pinellas County provides education, support, and resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Their work helps remind us that mental health is health—and that no one should have to navigate these challenges alone.

Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas brings together organizations across our community with a shared mission: to end suicide in Pinellas County through education, awareness, coordinated care, and community partnerships.

These organizations demonstrate something very important: suicide prevention is a community responsibility.

It starts with a conversation. It starts with asking, “Are you okay?” It starts with listening without judgment and making sure people know that asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

This September, let's commit to looking out for one another. Let's speak up, reach out, and make sure that anyone who is struggling knows there is help, there is hope, and there are people who care. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential support, available 24 hours a day.

Let us stand together as a community—because every life matters, every story matters, and every person deserves hope.