“In an instant, something can happen,” crisis counselor Kimberly Brown said. “[Suicide is] an impulsive thought.”

Because of how quickly it can happen, starting the conversation about suicide can save a life.

All it takes is a simple question. “Are you having thoughts of suicide?”

September is Suicide Prevention Month, but it is important to recognize why suicide prevention matters all of the time. In recent years, the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide prevention has slowly decreased, but there is still work to do.

“[Society] thought if you ask somebody if they’re having suicidal thoughts, you put the thought in their head, but really, that is not right,” crisis counselor Hollee Reed said. “People are already thinking about it, and so the fear of talking about it, I think, has now become common knowledge, that it doesn’t put thoughts in people’s heads.”

According to the crisis counselors, the most important thing for people to know is that conversations can save lives.

“And then I tell them, if you ever find yourself in a place where you are considering taking your life, the number one thing you can do is tell someone,” Brown said. “We try to get them to name a trusted adult.”

While the hesitancy to speak up when someone is concerned for their own or for someone else’s mental health is decreasing, there are still situations where students aren’t always believed when they come forward.

“We tell [parents] we believe their student, we believe their child, every time that they say [they are having suicidal thoughts],” Reed said. “Encouraging them to get them help, I think, is the biggest thing, because maybe you’re never going to convince the parent, but you know, you’ve got to still get them help no matter what.”

Teachers, coaches and administrators are trained to identify students who are in crisis or may need help. Knowing the warning signs and taking the time to help students who may need it can save lives.

“You’ll never know what didn’t happen because you stepped in and cared,” Brown said. “You can change the path of someone’s life because you care about them. Students are very perceptive. They know if you truly care. They know if you don’t.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, resources are available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24-hour service, and the district crisis counselors can direct you to more resources. Visit https://www.azleisd.net/o/aisd/page/counseling-intervention for more information.