Didi Hirsch Champions ‘One Step at a Time' Approach to Suicide Prevention During National Awareness Month

Core Viewpoint - Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services emphasizes the importance of taking small, deliberate actions to prevent suicide and support mental health during National Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting the urgency of comprehensive suicide prevention efforts in light of rising suicide rates in the U.S. [1][2] Summary by Sections Suicide Statistics and Urgency - Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., with nearly 50,000 lives lost in 2022, and the CDC reports a suicide occurring every 11 minutes, indicating a critical need for effective prevention strategies [1]. Steps to Support Mental Health - Didi Hirsch outlines a series of steps to support mental health and prevent suicide, including asking about suicide, listening attentively, developing a safety plan, encouraging professional help, and following up regularly [3][4]. Comprehensive Services Offered - Didi Hirsch provides extensive suicide prevention services, including 24/7 crisis lines, specialized outpatient therapy, and peer-led support groups, with a 25% increase in calls to California's 988 Crisis Center Consortium and a tripling of individual counseling clients from 2022 to 2023 [5]. Specialized Counseling Programs - The Suicide Prevention Counseling Center offers tailored individual and group therapy, including programs for first responders and caregivers, with international recognition for its support group model for Survivors of Suicide Attempts [6][7]. Youth Mental Health Initiatives - Didi Hirsch's Teen Line connects youth to trained listeners, providing support to over 8,000 teens in 2023, and has reached more than 25,000 youth through educational resources in schools [8]. Community Engagement and Training - The organization trains thousands of individuals, including students and first responders, to recognize and respond to suicide signs, and hosts community events like the "Alive Together" 5K to promote awareness and support [9]. Organizational Overview - Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is a nonprofit organization with over 80 years of experience in mental health and crisis care, operating the first comprehensive Suicide Prevention Center in the U.S. and being a leading provider of crisis services in California [10].