Suicide Prevention & Recovery Month 2025
September Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month is celebrated each September to create awareness of this important and preventable health issue. During this month, Marin County BHRS and community-based partners come together to host virtual and in-person events for our community, including allies, providers, educators, students, loss survivors, and more.
In addition to our events, we promote our grassroots campaign, “Ask. Listen. Connect.” this month which is designed to support you with the skills to talk directly and openly about suicidality. We believe that each one of us can play a life-saving role by talking openly and being a connection to Hope and Help. Scroll to the end and learn how you can “Ask. Listen. Connect.”
Thank you to community partners hosting events, including: Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative, North Marin Community Services, Felton Institute, Buckelew Programs, Veterans Affairs, Vivalon, Marin County BHRS and crisis response partners, and Marin County Office of Education.
Note: some events are offered by community organizations that may not be sponsored by BHRS but are included in the listing below.
FULL EVENT AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION BELOW. All events are free and open to the public. Join us!
September Suicide Prevention Month Events
Join us for this discussion group for LGBTQ+ seniors that bring us together to strengthen community and our inner resources.
Time/date: Tuesday September 9, 2025 from 12:30 pm-2:00 pm.
Location: Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus, 2nd floor, 999 3rd Street, San Rafael
Register Here: Clare Sackson (415-456-9062, x148)
This special event celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Suicide Prevention Collaborative. Join us for honoring, celebration, and reflection through storytelling, art, and healing ritual. Food and festivities provided!
Time/date: Wednesday September 10, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Lite bites begin at 5:30 pm.
Location: Homeward Bound of Marin 1385 N. Hamilton Parkway, Novato
This fundraiser for Buckelew Programs and their suicide prevention program is a community tattoo event held in Petaluma
Time/date: September 13, 2025
¡Nueva fecha!
Únase a nosotros en esta capacitación de prevención del suicidio que aborda los hechos sobre el suicidio, las palabras a usar cuando se habla con alguien sobre el suicidio y los recursos comunitarios para obtener apoyo. En Zoom.
Lunes 15 de septiembre de 18 a 19 horas
Regístrate aquí: Silvia Albuja at 707-408-3657
Join the Marin County Office of Education for a parent and caregiver virtual training on suicide prevention using the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program, a nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum.
Time/date: September 17 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Join us for a community walk and talk in honor of Suicide Prevention Month — a chance to connect, reflect, and move together toward hope and healing. Bring your friends, your walking shoes, and your voice. Let’s walk it out — together.
Date/time: Thursday September 18 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Hike Location: Lake Lagunitas Parking Lot. Sky Oaks Road, Fairfax, CA
This 988 conference convenes at a moment of profound national challenge and uncertainty. Amid a rising trend of punitive policies that seek to criminalize poverty and distress, how can we build and sustain crisis care ecosystems that truly support our communities?
The sessions are designed to equip participants with some tools, knowledge, and inspiration to defend community-based crisis response in Alameda County and beyond.
Time/date: September 19, 2025 from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm (PDT)
The AFSP hosts their annual September walk in San Francisco.
Time/date: September 20 at 9:30 am
Join us for this virtual event and learn more about Marin County's collaborative crisis response strategies to support those in distress. Speakers from Marin City, San Rafael, Novato, and Marin County BHRS will share crisis response supports designed to help during challenging times!
Time/date: September 23 from 6:00-7:15 pm
This virtual presentation, led by San Francisco VA mental health providers, will lead a suicide prevention training that reflects the unique needs of Veterans and provides the skills to support and refer them to safety.
Time/date: September 25 from Noon-1:15 pm
Celebrate your journey. Come enjoy BBQ, music, and community. Raffle prizes, resource information, photo booth and more!
Location: San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
RSVP: Development@Buckelew.org
Ask. Listen. Connect.
Suicide Can Be Prevented.
Know the Signs.
Most people in distress express warning signs through feelings, words or actions, including: feeling burdensome or trapped, experiencing chronic pain, changes in substance use, lacking reasons for living, talking about suicide, feeling rejected, having access to lethal means, etc. Any warning sign is a door opener for a conversation. Here are helpful tips to keep someone safe at home or in the workplace.
Ask directly.
- “Sometimes people experience thoughts of suicide when they lose hope/are sad/withdrawn. Are you thinking of suicide?
- Can we store your firearm/ammunition (or substances) until your feelings are resolved and you can stay safe?”
Listen.
- “I’m sorry you’re in this much pain. I’m here to listen and support you.”
- “I’m so glad you’re sharing this with me. It takes a lot of courage.”
Connect.
- “I’ll sit with you. I want to make sure that you stay safe. Let’s call 988 (or therapist, parent, etc.) together for support."
- “You can begin to feel better with support. I’ll stay with you while we find help.”
After you connect someone to help, follow up with them to foster belonging and recovery by a phone call, text, etc.
Got one minute?
Spread hope. Share on social!
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Together, we can save lives. #AskListenConnect
Septiembre es el Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio. Juntos podemos salvar vidas. #PregunteEscucheConecte
Feeling overwhelmed? 988 is here for you—day or night. #988Lifeline
¿Te sientes abrumado? Llama al 988—hay ayuda 24/7. #988LíneaDeVida
Lock it up. Safe storage of firearms & meds can save lives. #SuicidePrevention
Guárdalo seguro. Armas y medicinas bajo llave salvan vidas. #PrevenciónDelSuicidio
Recovery starts with one step. Dial 988—help is 3 digits away.
La recuperación empieza con un paso. Marca 988—el apoyo está a 3 dígitos.
