HONOLULU (KHON2) — In Hawaiʻi, September brings a reminder that can be easy to overlook in the rush of everyday life: A simple check in can matter.
Hawaiʻi recognizes September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month with World Suicide Prevention Day being observed each year.
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The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 13.9 million U.S. adults ages 18 and older had serious thoughts of suicide in 2025.
In Hawaiʻi, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall, particularly amongst adults ages 25 to 34 who have the highest rate of suicide.
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Suicide affects individuals, families and communities; and the work of prevention reaches across Hawaiʻi. State, community, military and federal partners provide training, events and resources for people across the islands.
“Suicide prevention isn’t the work of one agency or one program — it’s the work of an entire community,” said Gov. Josh Green, M.D. “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.”
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Hawaiʻi was amongst the first states in the U.S. to establish a statewide suicide prevention gatekeeper training network. The state was also amongst the first to host an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Paws for Prevention event.
“Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that depends on compassion, connection and community,” said Dr. Gavin Takenaka, Adult Mental Health Division administrator for the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. “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.”
The Prevent Suicide Hawaiʻi Task Force is among the groups supporting suicide prevention activities statewide.
“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 Hawaiʻi 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.”
Renee Yu, suicide prevention public health educator for the DOH Emergency Medical Systems of Care, said people do not need to be experts to take part.
“Hawai’i has incredibly dedicated suicide prevention partners and advocates, but you don’t have to be an expert to save lives,” Yu said. “We can all do our part to prevent suicide by listening, making connections and reducing stigma through our everyday interactions.”
Where to find help
If you or someone you know is struggling, here are resources the State of Hawaii has provided:
Hawaiʻi CARES 988: A free and anonymous crisis, mental health and substance use call center that offers locally trained staff who provide supportive counseling, screening for urgent or emergency mental health or substance use needs, recommendations for behavioral health assessments, services and crisis interventions. Call or text 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available here.
Free online suicide prevention training: Hawaiʻi offers free, anonymous online suicide prevention training. Information is available through the Hawaiʻi Department of Health suicide prevention program.
Hawaiʻi Poison Center: Provides help for poisoning emergencies. Call 1 (800) 222-1222 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hawaiʻi Chapter: Brings people together from all backgrounds to prevent suicide and bring hope to people affected by suicide. Information is available here.
Prevent Suicide Hawaiʻi Task Force: Provides information about local suicide prevention resources through its website.
Events across the islands
Suicide prevention activities will include training, sign waving, walks, conferences and community gatherings:
Kauaʻi
Sept. 23, 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Suicide Prevention 101 Training by the Prevent Suicide Kauaʻi Task Force. Join through Zoom here.
Updates on Prevent Suicide Kauaʻi Task Force activities are available here.
Maui
Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Crisis Intervention Team Training by the Maui Police Department.
Oʻahu
Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Child & Family Service safeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone. The three-hour training teaches people how to recognize and engage with people having thoughts of suicide and connect them with lifesaving help. The training will be held at the Child & Family Service Oʻahu Office located at 91 1841 Ft. Weaver Rd. Seats are limited, so contact mbell@cfs-hawaii.org
Molokaʻi
Sept. 17 and 18, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Child & Family Service Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training at the Child & Family Service Molokaʻi Office. Seats are limited, so contact mbell@cfs-hawaii.org
Sept. 19, 4 p.m. until sunset: Molokaʻi Suicide Awareness and Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk at Molokaʻi Community Health Center. Contact (808) 757-0460 for information.
Lanaʻi
Sept. 16, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sign waving. Check in is at 4 p.m. near the flagpole outside the Dole Building. Be sure to bring your own signs.
Oct. 2, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Training at the Lanaʻi Public School Library in Lanaʻi City. Registration is available here.
Hawaiʻi Island
Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The 2nd Annual Jalen Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Health & Awareness Day at Kurtistown Samoan English Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Military
September: The 4th Annual Message of Hope: Cranes will be exhibited by the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard at the Oʻahu Navy Exchange second floor. Email yumi.panui@us.af.mil for information.
Sept. 22, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Any is Too Many Suicide Awareness Sign Waving Campaign by Together with Veterans Hawaiʻi and American Legion Post 3 on Bayfront Highway across from the King Kamehameha statue. Email twv.hawaii1@gmail.com for information.
Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Mind Ready & Resilience Symposium by Hawaiʻi United Prevention Task Force and DOH at Oʻahu Veterans Center. Email huptf808@gmail.com for information.
First Thursdays of the month, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Hawaiʻi United Prevention Task Force meeting. Email huptf808@gmail.com for information.
Quarterly: Hawaiʻi Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families. Email swanson.808@gmail.com for information.
September puts suicide prevention in the spotlight across Hawaiʻi as work continues through training, community events and daily connections.
The message from the State of Hawaii to residents is direct: Listen. Make connections. Reach out. Know where help is available.
As Yu said, “We can all do our part to prevent suicide by listening, making connections and reducing stigma through our everyday interactions.”
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