Working Together to Prioritize Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions have never really worked for me. I find they create a lot of pressure to make radical changes and can lead to us comparing ourselves to others. I do think of each new year as a chance to start fresh, though. For many of us, the new year is an opportunity to refocus on our health and set new goals and routines. This year, I want to encourage all of us to make sure our mental health is part of that focus.

Recently, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention at EDC, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center partnered with the Harris Poll to collect data and release findings for the 2024 Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll. With dozens of questions answered by over 4,000 U.S. adults, the poll gave us a lot of data.

One of the things I took away from the data is that we’re all in this together. In fact, 91% of people believe that suicide can be prevented at least some of the time; and 77% want to learn more about what they can do to play a role in supporting someone who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. These findings are incredibly encouraging and let us know that AFSP’s educational programs are needed and can make a difference.

But we can’t do it alone. Nine out of ten people believe that employers (92%) and the media and entertainment industry (90%) also have a role to play in supporting mental health and suicide prevention. Thankfully, there are many resources available to help make that happen.

What Employers Can Do

Offer mental health benefits and resources. Nearly half of people said that employers should offer mental health benefits (48%) and provide employees with information on resources for mental health and suicide prevention (46%). AFSP’s Interactive Screening Program (ISP) and partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration provide great resources for organizations looking to support their staff.

Educate employees about mental health. Many people also prioritized educating employees about mental health and suicide prevention (44%) and helping to reduce negative attitudes often associated with suicide (40%). AFSP’s educational program for workplaces and continued partnership with Bechtel to support suicide prevention in the construction industry are just some examples of what this work can look like.

What the Media Can Do

Educate the public about mental health and suicide. More than half of people stated that educating people about suicide and prevention resources (51%) is a role that the media and entertainment industry can play. In particular, providing information about mental health treatment (49%), sharing tips for managing mental health challenges (43%), and sharing real stories about people’s experiences with mental health and suicide (37%) are powerful strategies the industry can use. (AFSP regularly provides confidential, research-based safe storytelling guidance to the entertainment industry. Those connected with an entertainment platform may contact AFSP Director of Writing and Entertainment Outreach, Brett Wean, at [email protected].)

Use ethical reporting guidelines. Research shows that how we talk about suicide in the media can influence the health outcomes of those who are vulnerable and reduce the risk of contagion. Doing so safely is important. Following the safe reporting guidelines is an effective way to share powerful stories while also supporting prevention efforts.

What You Can Do

Learn the warning signs. Nearly all people (95%) said they would take action if someone close to them was thinking about suicide. To take effective action, though, we need to know what to look out for. While there is no single cause for suicide, there are warning signs and risk factors to be aware of. Knowing these can help you support the people in your life.

Learn how to have a #RealConvo. More than half of adults feel comfortable talking to others about mental health (62%) and suicide (51%). Empowering ourselves with the language and tools to have these conversations is so important. AFSP’s Talk Away the Dark campaign is intended to prompt these conversations and save lives. Our #RealConvo guides are also helpful for getting the conversation started. Most people (82%) would tell at least one person if they were having thoughts of suicide, so knowing how to have these conversations effectively can be lifesaving.

Advocate for change. Nearly all adults (93%) believe there is something that can be done to help reduce the number of people who die by suicide. This includes 77% who believe we should provide greater access to care, and 72% who believe we need to develop more training for professionals — policy priorities that AFSP supports. You can join the fight to advocate for these policies at the federal and state levels by signing up to be a Volunteer Advocate!

Prioritize your own mental health. Effectively supporting others and making a difference in our communities also requires us to take care of ourselves. In the poll, we learned that many people are using positive strategies to support their own mental health. These strategies include eating healthy (40%), getting enough sleep (40%), exercising (39%), and staying in touch with family and friends (37%).

As I reflect on my own personal health goals for this year, I’m also embracing these strategies by prioritizing getting enough sleep, making an effort to stay in touch with my family and friends, and being more intentional about limiting my time on social media. What is most inspiring to me about the latest poll findings is that people believe mental health is just as or more important than physical health (91%) and they are eager to do more. I hope you’ll join me in turning these insights into action in 2025.

To learn more about the Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll, visit suicidepreventionnow.org.