Suicide Prevention Month: Turning Awareness into Action
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: a time to recognize the urgent need to address suicide in our communities, both in Wyoming and across the U.S. At Cathedral Home, we view this month as an opportunity not only to raise awareness, but also to focus our attention on actionable solutions that improve access to care and prevention resources in our state.
Suicide in Wyoming at a Glance
Wyoming consistently ranks near the top among states with the highest rates of suicide, number of people who experience at least one major depressive episode per year, and lowest rates of access to care. According to the 2024 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey — administered every two years to middle and high school students across the state — 14% of Wyoming students in grades 6-12 reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. In some years, that number has been even higher.
Behind every statistic is a person—our friends, family members, classmates, neighbors, and loved ones. The reasons for Wyoming’s elevated rates, and the high rates of suicide in many other rural Mountain West states, are complex. Geographic isolation, limited access to mental health care, the prevalence of firearms, and the stigma that still surrounds seeking help all play a significant role. While the scope of the challenge can feel overwhelming, every open conversation about mental health is a step toward progress. We believe suicide prevention must begin long before a person reaches a point of crisis. True prevention requires reshaping the way our culture approaches mental health; teaching coping and communication skills from an early age, and fostering communities that prioritize and invest in the well-being of their neighbors.