DOH, PARTNERS TO SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH STATEWIDE

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:

• Aug. 26: Mind Ready and Resilient Symposium, relieve your burnout by Hawai'i United Prevention Task Force, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Oʻahu Veterans Center. For information, email [email protected].
• 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].

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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