September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.
As a leader of a behavioral health organization, I see every day that reaching someone in a moment of crisis can be the beginning of a different path forward. But suicide prevention needs to happen not only with trained healthcare providers inside a hospital, outpatient center or during a virtual appointment. It starts in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities with resources, compassion and a willingness to ask how someone is really doing — and listen.
The need is urgent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths in 2024. The number of people experiencing suicidal thoughts is far greater: an estimated 14.3 million U.S. adults seriously considered suicide that year, while 2.2 million attempted suicides. The CDC also notes that about half of people who die by suicide have a history of a known diagnosed mental health condition.¹
Here in Wyoming, the need is just as urgent. The Wyoming Department of Health reported 168 suicide deaths among Wyoming residents in 2024.² More recently, the Natrona County Coroner’s Office reported 20 suicide deaths through July 2026, including 15 in Casper.³
These numbers represent people, not statistics. They are parents, children, spouses, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
Prevention begins with recognizing when someone may be struggling. Changes in behavior, withdrawal from others, increased substance use, extreme mood changes, feelings of hopelessness or talking about being a burden can all be warning signs. We don’t need to be mental health experts to notice a change or to say, “I’m concerned about you. How can I help?”
Just as importantly, we need to make it easier to get help.
Too often, people wait until a crisis becomes overwhelming before seeking care. Behavioral healthcare offers a range of options — from outpatient therapy and intensive programs to inpatient care for those who need a higher level of support. The goal is not simply to respond to a crisis, but to connect people with the appropriate care, support and resources before a crisis occurs.
As a behavioral healthcare provider here in Wyoming, our team at Wyoming Behavioral Institute in Casper cares for children, adolescents, adults and families from communities across the state. We have the privilege — and the responsibility — of helping people and families navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
But no healthcare system can do this alone.
Suicide prevention is a community responsibility. It means checking in on the person who seems different lately. It means taking concerns seriously rather than dismissing them. It means reducing the stigma that can make asking for help feel like a sign of weakness. And it means ensuring people know that support is available and recovery is possible.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 for free and confidential support. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line. The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people at 1-866-488-7386.⁴
Wyoming Behavioral Institute is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-457-9312 to provide confidential level-of-care assessments and help individuals and families identify appropriate behavioral healthcare resources.⁵
This month let’s do more than raise awareness. Let’s start conversations. Let’s listen. Let’s connect people to support and care. Let’s provide hope.
Because sometimes, one conversation can be the moment someone realizes they don’t have to face what they’re going through alone.
Mike Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
Wyoming Behavioral Institute
Casper, Wyoming
Sources
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Suicide Data and Statistics,” 2026. CDC reports 48,824 suicide deaths in 2024, 14.3 million adults who seriously considered suicide and 2.2 million who attempted suicide. CDC also reports that about half of people who die by suicide have a history of a known diagnosed mental health condition.
2. Wyoming Department of Health, Vital Statistics Services, “Wyoming’s 2024 Deaths, Births, Marriages and Divorces See Swings,” April 28, 2025. WDH reported 168 Wyoming resident suicide deaths in 2024.
3. Natrona County Coroner’s Office, “Suicide Report 2026.” Through July 2026, the report lists 20 suicide deaths in Natrona County, including 15 in Casper.
4. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and The Trevor Project. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7; veterans can call 988 and press 1. The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis services at 1-866-488-7386.
5. Wyoming Behavioral Institute. WBI provides confidential level-of-care assessments 24/7 at 800-457-9312.
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