The month of September is National Suicide Prevention Month, where organizations and families around the world use their voices and platforms to educate people on the prevention of suicide. The goal of this month is to reduce the stigma around suicide and to use this month as a safe space for families and friends to speak out about the passing of a loved one. Overall, the month helps break down barriers that prevent people from connecting and finding resources to remember the deceased. 

As a leading cause of death in the United States, suicide claimed over 49,000 lives in 2023 alone, meaning that one death would happen every 11 minutes. Symptoms of suicide can realistically be different for every individual. What to notice is a dramatic shift in one’s mood, or notice negative talk about their life. Other signs could be extreme withdrawal from friends and family, or giving away items. These are both signs of depressive thoughts. However, some people who have suicidal thoughts may be used to hiding their feelings and will show fewer symptoms of pain. When a friend or family member becomes distant, making time to speak with them and participate in a deeper conversation may help that person.

While it’s not impossible to prevent a suicide, and it’s highly encouraged to do so when you see someone struggling, sometimes the struggle may not be so visible. When a person has been hurting for so long, it becomes assumed that they’re just going to live in that constant state forever. People may experience a lack of funds to live happily, and others may not have a strong support system that can provide them with the necessary resources. For whatever the case may be, it has led to 1.5 million yearly suicide attempts in the United States alone.

My childhood friend, Zane Becker, was an outgoing kid. With friends, we would all start Nerf wars and play video games. My favorite memory with him was the Fourth of July, when we all witnessed fireworks from the boat that night.  When we were younger, our lives were easier. However, as we grew older, we saw each other less. Zane was struggling with ADHD and the subsequent medicine he took for it. The last time I saw him was during a musical gig, where we listened to live music before heading our own ways. 

When he took his own life, I was initially shocked to hear this news. Just a few days before, he sent me images of his graffiti art. After reading the message of his passing, I couldn’t believe the news. That day, I met up with his best friend, who is also a very close friend of mine, and we just embraced each other.

Many families around the world have experienced these same long and quiet moments. Ultimately, this month’s goal is to connect all the families and friends who have experienced this tragedy. To stop all thoughts of blame or to halt thoughts of pain, people gather together to raise awareness and prevent another person from committing. To further raise awareness, the Palm Beach County Out of the Darkness Community Walk happens annually. This year, on November 1st, families will meet at FAU to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. My family wears shirts every year to honor Zane’s passing during the walk, the shirts featuring a graphic of his graffiti art.

His passing, along with that of many others, reminds the world of this common enemy that we all face. In honor of every angel we’ve lost, let’s use this month to continue to share information and promote awareness of suicide.