Resources and Support to Honor Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide prevention resources for raising awareness, eliminating stigma, and fostering connections between individuals and mental health support.
By Spark Kindness Team
Dear Spark Community,
September is Suicide Prevention Month, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of promoting awareness, breaking down societal stigma, and connecting individuals to the mental health services available to them.
As our community partner friends at Call2Talk say, "Every conversation matters. By listening without judgment, checking in on one another, and helping people connect with support, we can create hope and help prevent suicide."
Resources and compassionate care are available to you (many are listed below.) We encourage you to save this blog post for the future and to please share with others. Remember, you and your family are never alone.
In kindness and with care ~ The Spark Kindness Team
Community Initiative Spotlight: Pinwheel Project
Volunteers from Call2Talk and the MetroWest Regional Coalition for Suicide Prevention gathered at Framingham Centre Common in late September 2026 to plant 648 pinwheels - one for each Massachusetts life lost to suicide in 2024, the most recent year of available data.
Each pinwheel represents a person who mattered and is deeply missed. Through Pinwheels for Hope, we stand together with those left behind, offering compassion, connection, and support.
Featured Resources for Suicide Prevention and Support
- Find Support Groups Near You: Check out the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's search engine here.
- LOSSteam MetroWest (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) is a volunteer immediate crisis support team. Learn more info here.
- What Happens When I Call 988? View the FAQ's of what to expect here.
Talking to Our Youth About Suicide
- Article: Helping Kids Support a Friend with Suicidal Thoughts (from The Kids Mental Health Foundation)
- Resource Hub: How To Talk to Kids About Suicide (from The Kids Mental Health Foundation)
- Podcast: How Can I Help My Depressed Teen? (from the Ask Lisa podcast with Dr. Lisa Damour)
- View additional Mental Health Resources here.
Local MetroWest, MA Community Organizations and Resources
- Call2Talk is a mental health, emotional support, and suicide prevention program run by Mass211. It operates 24/7 and provides confidential, compassionate listening to assist people during stressful times. Call 508-532-2255 or 413-505-5111 or text CTC to 741741. Learn more here.
- MetroWest Regional Coalition for Suicide Prevention works to assist our communities in their efforts to increase suicide prevention and awareness and reduce the incidence of suicide in our region. Learn more here.
- Advocates Adult & Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) team is always available to offer skilled, compassionate support and connections to resources and services during difficult times. 24 Hour Crisis Support: 800-640-5432. Read more here.
- “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency” provides important information outlining what can contribute to a crisis, warning signs, strategies to help de-escalate, available resources and more. Download in English here. Download in Spanish here.
- The AFSP Massachusetts Chapter focuses on suicide prevention by delivering prevention programs, providing education to the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. Learn more and view resources here.