Westchester County Launches Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Westchester County is marking the occasion with special events and activities to bring attention, spread hope and spark meaningful action surrounding suicide prevention. During the month of September, September 8 will also be dedicated as “988 Day,” honoring this year’s theme, “988 Reasons: Your reason is reason enough.”
The 988 Lifeline is free, confidential and local to Westchester County residents. To reach a live, judgement-free counselor one need only call, text or chat 988. Reasons to call can include substance use disorder, economic worries, relationships, culture and identity, illness, intimate partner violence, depression, mental and physical illness and loneliness. Those contemplating suicide can also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline 24 hour a day, 7 day a week. The service connects callers directly to a local, trained counselor that will provide support, resources and care.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “It is important to remember that talking about suicide does not cause harm – rather, not talking about it can. The many programs and resources offered by our Department of Community Mental Health and our community partners are making a meaningful difference for people that are struggling. Our Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park provides a quiet place for reflecting and healing, while our 988 Call Center connects those in need with immediate support and resources. Our recently launched #988Challenge is another way we can engage our community, raise awareness and encourage people to learn more about the 988 Lifeline. The more we talk openly about mental health, educate people about 988 and make sure people know help is available, the more we can connect people with the support they need.”
Westchester County has been promoting the 988 Call Center through signage at local parks, public service announcements, and through promotional materials distributed at events across the County. This has led to the recent launch of the #988ChallengeWestchester, a social media campaign that encourages individuals to post photos or videos of themselves holding 988 signs with messages of hope.
Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth said: “Last year, in 2025, there were 66 completed suicides in Westchester County. Comparable to the 2024 total of 63, and down from a high of 79 in 2022. These numbers show us that there are still people out there that need assistance and don’t always know where they can turn. Providing people with a safe space and letting them know that it is ok to talk about mental health and substance use challenges will help to end the stigma and the fear that people have in admitting their needs. I want to thank County Executive Ken Jenkins for the continued support, not just of DCMH and our efforts, but also for the Westchester Suicide Prevention Coalition and the work they are doing to promote 988 and provide information and services to people.”
In 2025, the 988 Call Center received nearly 18,000 calls from Westchester County residents, and in the first half of 2026, over 11,000 calls have already been received. The Lifeline is open to anyone facing a crisis regardless of age, background or circumstance. Those struggling with thoughts of suicide, felling overwhelmed, or dealing with addiction are encouraged to call. The Lifeline also provides support for LGBTQ+ individuals and Veterans by connecting them to professionals trained in those areas. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline receives direct support from Westchester County, which allows it be located at St. Vincent’s Hospital, part of St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
Program Director of the Crisis Prevention and Response Team at St. Vincent’s Hospital Angela Jacobs said: “Finding new and innovative ways to promote the 988 Lifeline and educating the public on the important service it provides is invaluable to helping people who may not know where to turn. As more and more people learn about 988, more and more calls are coming in to the Call Center. Greater knowledge leads to greater access and greater access helps to save lives. Ending the stigma around mental health issues is vital to encourage individuals to seek assistance. Calling 988 for mental health help should be just as readily accessible as calling 911 for police help. As 988 becomes more prominent, more calls will come and along with that more lives will be affected for the better.”
Westchester Suicide Prevention Coalition Co-Chair Annette Peters-Ruvolo said: “The 988 Challenge, much like the recent ‘Chalk the Walk’ project did for mental health, is a creative way to engage people in promoting the 988 Lifeline. By just taking a photo holding a sign promoting 988 with a message of hope or gathering a group for a video where each participant holds a sign and encourages people in need to reach out to 988, we can create a unique message that will resonate with people. When your creation is ready, post on your social media accounts with the hashtag #988ChallengeWestchester. Don’t forget to challenge others to post their own creations!”
This September, through a partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 66 sunflower pinwheels will be placed at the Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park to represent each completed suicide in the past year.
Executive Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention HudsonValley/Westchester Chapter Maria Idoni said: “The 66 pinwheels in the Healing Garden represent 66 lives lost to suicide this past year, each one a person who was loved and is deeply missed. They serve as both a tribute and a reminder that suicide prevention belongs to all of us. This Suicide Prevention Month, we can honor those lives by turning remembrance into action: participate in a prevention training, reach out to someone who may be struggling, take part in the 988 Challenge, and help ensure that everyone knows support is available. By talking openly about mental health and making it easier to ask for help, we create more opportunities for connection, hope, healing and lives saved. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, whether you need support yourself or are concerned about someone you love.”
Additional Resources:
Westchester County Suicide Prevention Coalition | Suicide Prevention
Hudson Valley/Westchester | AFSP
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Saint Joseph’s Medical Center