HONOLULU
—
The
state
of
Hawai‘i
recognizes
September
as
“Suicide
Prevention
and
Awareness
Month,”
with
the
10th
of
September
observed
globally
every
year
as
World
Suicide
Prevention
Day.

Suicide
remains
a
serious
public
health
challenge
with
long-lasting
effects
on
individuals,
families
and
communities.
The
most
recent
results
from
the
National
Survey
on
Drug
Use
and
Health
(NSDUH)
showed
an
estimated
13.9
million
U.S.
adults
aged
18
or
older
had
serious
thoughts
of
suicide
in
2025.
In
Hawai‘i,
suicide
is
the
tenth-leading
cause
of
death
overall.
Adults
aged
25-34
years
old
have
the
highest
rate
of
suicide.

Suicide
prevention
in
Hawai‘i
is
a
comprehensive
effort
between
state,
community,
military
and
federal
partners.
Hawaiʻi
was
one
of
the
first
states
to
establish
a
statewide
suicide
prevention
gatekeeper
training
network,
as
well
as
one
of
the
first
states
to
host
an
American
Foundation
for
Suicide
Prevention
ʻPaws
for
Prevention’
event.
The
state
has
also
received
multiple
major
federal
grants
providing
suicide
prevention
resources
for
youth,
state
workers,
farmers,
first
responders,
veterans
and
rural
communities.

“Suicide
prevention
isn’t
the
work
of
one
agency
or
one
program
—
it’s
the
work
of
an
entire
community,” said
Governor
Josh
Green.
“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.”

“Suicide
prevention
is
a
shared
responsibility
that
depends
on
compassion,
connection
and
community,”
said
Dr.
Gavin
Takenaka,
Adult
Mental
Health
Division
administrator,
Hawaiʻi
Department
of
Health
(DOH).
“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.”

From
training
to
sign
waving
to
walks,
multiple
agencies
are
doing
their
part
to
bring
awareness
to
suicide.
Among
the
partners
supporting
events
this
month
is
the
Prevent
Suicide
Hawaiʻi
Task
Force.

“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
Hawai‘i
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.”

“Hawai‘i
has
incredibly
dedicated
suicide
prevention
partners
and
advocates,
but
you
don’t
have
to
be
an
expert
to
save
lives,”
said
Renee
Yu,
suicide
prevention
public
health
educator
for
the
DOH
Emergency
Medical
Systems
of
Care.
“We
can
all
do
our
part
to
prevent
suicide
by
listening,
making
connections
and
reducing
stigma
through
our
everyday
interactions.”

If
you
are
struggling,
resources
are
available.
Help
is
just
a
call,
text,
or
chat
away.

Resources:

• 
  Hawai‘i
  
  CARES
  988
  is
  a
  free
  and
  anonymous
  crisis,
  mental
  health
  and
  substance
  use
  call
  center.
  Locally
  trained
  and
  qualified
  staff
  provide
  supportive
  counseling
  and
  screening
  for
  urgent
  or
  emergent
  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.
  For
  more
  information,
  visit
  
  
  hicares.hawaii.gov.
• To
  learn
  more
  about
  suicide
  prevention
  in
  Hawai‘i,
  participate
  in
  
  free,
  anonymous
  online
  suicide
  prevention
  training,
  visit
  
  
  https://health.hawaii.gov/emsipsb/injury-prevention/suicide-prevention/.
• 
  Hawai‘i
  
  Poison
  Center
  provides
  help
  for
  poisoning
  emergencies.
  
  Call
  1-800-222-1222.
  Help
  is
  available
  24
  hours
  a
  day,
  seven
  days
  a
  week.
• 
  American
  Foundation
  for
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Hawai‘i
  Chapter
  brings
  people
  together
  from
  all
  backgrounds
  to
  prevent
  suicide
  and
  bring
  hope
  to
  those
  affected
  by
  suicide.
  To
  learn
  more,
  visit
  
  
  www.afsp.org/hawaii.
• Visit
  the
  
  
  
  Prevent
  Suicide
  Hawai‘i
  Task
  Force
  website
  for
  local
  resources.

2026
Suicide
Prevention
and
Awareness
Month
Events

State:

• Sept.
  5:
  Hawai‘i
  Governor’s
  Proclamation
  at
  the
  American
  Foundation
  for
  Suicide
  Prevention’s
  annual
  Out-of-the-Darkness
  Walk
  Oʻahu,
  Magic
  Island,
  Honolulu.

Kaua‘i:

• Aug.
  27-28
  from
  9:30
  a.m.-4:30
  p.m.:
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service
  is
  hosting
  an
  Applied
  Suicide
  Intervention
  Skills
  Training,
  a
  two-day
  interactive
  workshop
  supported
  by
  the
  Staff
  Sgt.
  Parker
  Gordon
  Fox
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Grant
  Program.
  Location
  is
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service Kauaʻi
  Hale
  Holomua
  Office,
  limited
  seats
  are
  available.
  For
  more
  information,
  please
  contact
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Aug.
  30:
  September
  Suicide
  Prevention
  and
  Awareness
  Month
  Kick-off
  Movie
  and
  Resources
  Night.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Sept.10:
  Ola
  Pono
  O
  Kaua‘i
  Mental
  Health
  Conference
  and
  Mayor
  Derek
  Kawakami
  proclamation.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected]. 
• Sept.
  3:
  Prevent
  Suicide
  Kaua‘i
  Task
  Force
  sign-waving
  on
  the
  county
  lawn,
  3:30-4:30
  p.m.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].
    
• Sept.
  23:
  Suicide
  Prevention
  101
  Training
  by,
  Prevent
  Suicide
  Kaua‘i
  Task
  Force.
  3-4:30
  p.m.
  Join
  via
  Zoom
  at
  PreventSuicideKauai.org.
• For
  updates
  on
  Prevent
  Suicide
  Kaua‘i
  Task
  Force
  activities,
  visit:
  
  
  PreventSuicideKauai.org.

Maui:

• Sept.
  10:
  Sign
  waving
  by
  Maui
  Prevention
  Suicide
  Task
  Force,
  MEO
  Youth
  and
  YouthLine
  Hawai‘i
  in
  front
  of
  the
  Queen
  Ka‘ahumanu
  Shopping
  Center,
  4:30-5:30
  p.m.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].  
• Sept.
  10:
  SafeTALK
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Training,
  9:30
  a.m.-1:30
  p.m.,
  University
  of
  Hawaiʻi
  Maui
  College.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Sept.
  30:
  Crisis
  Intervention
  Team
  Training,
  Maui
  Police
  Department,
  8
  a.m.-9
  p.m. 

O‘ahu:

• Sept.
  5:
  The
  American
  Foundation
  for
  Suicide
  Prevention’s
  annual
  Out-of-the-Darkness
  Walk
  Oʻahu,
  Magic
  Island,
  Honolulu.
  Check-in
  is
  at
  7:45
  a.m.
  Event
  starts
  at
  9
  a.m.
  To
  register,
  visit
  
  
  https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/HawaiiWalk
• Sept.
  5:
  Honolulu
  Mayor
  proclamation
  at
  the
  American
  Foundation
  for
  Suicide
  Prevention’s
  annual
  Oʻahu
  Out
  of
  the
  Darkness
  Community
  Walk
  at
  Magic
  Island
  in
  Honolulu.
• Sept
  14-15
  from
  9
  a.m.-4:30
  p.m.:
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service
  is
  hosting
  an
  Applied
  Suicide
  Intervention
  Skills
  Training,
  a
  two-day
  interactive
  workshop
  supported
  by
  the
  Staff
  Sgt.
  Parker
  Gordon
  Fox
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Grant
  Program.
  Location
  is
  Lydia
  House,
  at
  205
  S.
  Vineyard
  St.
  Limited
  seats
  are
  available.
  For
  more
  information,
  please
  contact
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Sept
  23
  from
  10
  a.m.-1
  p.m.:
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service
  is
  hosting
  safeTALK:
  Suicide
  Alertness
  for
  Everyone,
  three-hour
  training
  that
  teaches
  everyday
  people
  how
  to
  recognize
  and
  engage
  with
  those
  having
  thoughts
  of
  suicide
  and
  connect
  them
  to
  life-saving
  help,
  supported
  by
  the
  Staff
  Sgt.
  Parker
  Gordon
  Fox
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Grant
  Program.
  Location
  is
  the
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service
  Oʻahu
  Office,
  at
  91-1841
  Ft.
  Weaver
  Rd.
  Limited
  seats
  are
  available.
  For
  more
  information,
  please
  contact
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Sept.
  24:
  Mind
  Ready
  and
  Resilient
  Symposium,
  relieve
  your
  burnout
  by
  Hawai‘i
  United
  Prevention
  Task
  Force,
  9
  a.m.-4
  p.m.,
  Oʻahu
  Veterans
  Center.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].

Moloka‘i:

• Sept
  17-18
  from
  9:30
  a.m.-4:30
  p.m.:
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service
  is
  hosting
  an
  Applied
  Suicide
  Intervention
  Skills
  Training,
  a
  two-day
  interactive
  workshop
  supported
  by
  the
  Staff
  Sgt.
  Parker
  Gordon
  Fox
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Grant
  Program.
  Location
  is
  Child
  &
  Family
  Service
  Molokaʻi
  Office,
  limited
  seats
  are
  available.
  For
  more
  information,
  please
  contact
  
  [email protected].
• Sept.
  19:
  Molokaʻi
  Suicide
  Awareness
  and
  Prevention
  Out
  of
  the
  Darkness
  Walk,
  Molokaʻi
  Community
  Health
  Center,
  4
  p.m.
  until
  sunset.
  For
  information,
  contact
  808-757-0460.

Lana‘i:

• Sept.
  16:
  The
  American
  Foundation
  for
  Suicide
  Prevention
  sign
  waving,
  4:30-5:30
  p.m.,
  check
  in
  at
  4
  p.m.
  near
  flagpole
  outside
  Dole
  Building.
  Bring
  your
  own
  signs.
• Oct.
  2:
  SafeTALK
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Training,
  noon-4
  p.m.,
  Lana‘i
  Public
  School
  Library,
  Lana‘i
  City.
  To
  register,
  visit
  
  
  Lanaʻi
  safeTALK
  Training
  Registration.

Hawai‘i
Island:

• Sept.
  26:
  2nd
  Annual
  Jalen
  Youth
  Suicide
  Prevention
  and
  Mental
  Health
  &
  Awareness
  Day
  by
  Kurtistown
  Samoan
  English
  Seventh-Day
  Adventist
  Church,
  10
  a.m.-3
  p.m. 

Military:

• 4th
  Annual
  Message
  of
  Hope
  –
  Cranes
  will
  be
  exhibited
  by
  the
  Hawaiʻi
  Air
  National
  Guard
  (HIANG)
  at
  O‘ahu
  Navy
  Exchange
  second
  floor
  during
  the
  month
  of
  September.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  [email protected].
• Aug.
  27:
  SafeTALK
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Training,
  9
  a.m.-noon,
  by
  Hawai‘i
  National
  Guard.
  To
  register,
  visit
  
  
  safeTALK_HING_DOE.
• Sept.
  11:
  Suicide
  Prevention
  Event
  by
  Veterans
  Health
  Administration,
  11
  a.m.,
  Daniel
  K.
  Akaka
  Department
  of
  Veterans
  Affairs
  Clinic,
  O‘ahu.
• Sept.
  22:
  Any
  is
  Too
  Many
  Suicide
  Awareness
  Sign
  Waving
  Campaign
  by
  Together
  with
  Veterans
  Hawai‘i
  and
  American
  Legion
  Post
  3,
  11
  a.m.-noon,
  Bayfront
  Hwy
  across
  the
  King
  Kamehameha
  statue.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Sept.
  24:
  Mind
  Ready
  &
  Resilience
  Symposium
  by
  Hawaiʻi
  United
  Prevention
  Task
  Force
  and
  DOH,
  O‘ahu
  Veterans
  Center,
  9
  a.m.-4
  p.m.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].
• Hawaiʻi
  United
  Prevention
  Task
  Force
  meets
  on
  the
  first
  Thursdays
  of
  the
  month,
  11:30
  a.m.-12:30
  p.m.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].
   
• Hawaiʻi
  Governor’s
  Challenge
  to
  Prevent
  Suicide
  Among
  Service
  Members,
  Veterans
  and
  Their
  Families
  meets
  quarterly.
  For
  information,
  email
  
  
  
  [email protected].

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