Family Preservation Alliance Issues Global Call-to-Action on 988 Day & Suicide Prevention Month
Washington, D.C. — September 8, 2025– In recognition of 988 Day (September 8) and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Family Preservation Alliance (FPA) amplifies a global plea to confront the escalating crisis of suicide across all age groups and demographics. Compassion, connection, and action can—must—save lives.
WHY THIS MATTERS – IN NUMBERS
- Globally, more than 720,000 lives are lost each year to suicide—making it the third leading cause of death among youth aged 15–29. Nearly three-quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. (WHO)
- U.S. totals for 2023 reached 49,300 deaths, the highest-ever recorded. (CDC / AP News)
- Suicide rates in the U.S. soared 37% from 2000 to 2018, and have returned to those peak levels by 2022. (CDC)
- Men are nearly 4× more likely than women to die by suicide; white males contributed 68% of U.S. suicides in 2023, and firearms accounted for 55% of all suicide deaths. (AFSP)
- Suicide rates increased dramatically from 2018–2021 in vulnerable communities: +26% among American Indian/Alaska Native and +19% among Black Americans. (CDC)
YOUTH & TEEN SUICIDE: UNACCEPTABLE SURGE
- Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among U.S. teenagers and the third globally for those aged 15–19. (CDC / WHO)
- From 2007 to 2021, youth aged 10–24 experienced a 62% rise in suicide rates. (CDC)
- In 2021, 42% of U.S. high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness; nearly 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys considered suicide. (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023)
- Firearms remain the leading method, with over 3,400 youth deaths per year—averaging 9 lives lost daily. (Everytown Research, 2024)
VETERANS: A GLOBAL FRONTLINE OF THE CRISIS
- In the U.S., ~6,392 veteran suicides occurred in 2021—an average of 17 per day. (Stop Soldier Suicide)
- Veterans face a 57% higher risk of suicide than civilians; 74% of these deaths involve firearms. (Militaryhealth BMJ / RAND / VA data)
- In Canada, male veterans are 1.4× more likely to die by suicide than their civilian peers, and female veterans 1.9× more likely—with the youngest males (<25) at 2.5× elevated risk. (Veterans’ Affairs Canada)
- In the UK, young male veterans (ages 16–19) have 193% higher suicide risk than civilian counterparts; former personnel in general have 52% higher risk than civilians. (Suicide in the military)
- In Australia, ex-serving military personnel experience a ~24% higher suicide rate than similar-aged civilians. (Suicide in the military)
PARENTAL ALIENATION & FAMILY SEPARATION: A SILENT TRIGGER
- Youth disconnected from parental relationships—through alienation, divorce, or separation—face elevated risks of depression, substance misuse, and suicidal ideation.
- One review found over 50% of alienated children experience suicidal thoughts; secure attachment is critical to prevention.
THE LIFELINE – 988: A PROVEN SAVER
- September 8 marks 988 Day, anchored in the theme: “Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere.” (988 Lifeline / SAMHSA)
- In May 2024 alone, over 500,000 contacts were made via 988, representing a 33% year-over-year jump and 80% rise since 2022. Answer rates soared from 70% to 89%, while wait times dropped to 1:31 minutes. (KFF)
A GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION
“At the Family Preservation Alliance, we believe every life—youth, veteran, child—deserves empathy, support, and connection,” said John S. Hamel, Jr., President of the Family Preservation Alliance. “As the world observes 988 Day and Suicide Prevention Month, we must confront youth mental health, the veteran crisis, and the hidden toll of family separation and alienation. Hope can vanish without support. We must act—not tomorrow, not later, but now.”
FPA urges:
- Adopt universal lifelines, accessible globally and tailored to local languages and cultures.
- Train trauma-informed responders—counselors, community workers, and educators—for compassionate support.
- Target youth and veteran programs: ensure safe firearm storage, maintain family bonds, and support transition phases.
- Expand inclusive access: prioritize marginalized populations—indigenous peoples, refugees, LGBTQ+ youth, and veterans.
- Address parental alienation: treat family disconnection as a crisis driver and implement early intervention.
ENDING SUICIDE — A WORLD UNITED
Suicide remains both a public health emergency and a personal tragedy. Yet it is preventable, and help works.
Every conversation, every outreach, every moment of listening can ripple across communities, cultures, and continents. On this 988 Day and during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Family Preservation Alliance stands with all who echo today:
Help is available. You are not alone.
Media Contact:
Family Preservation Alliance Media Relations and Communications Team
📧 alliance.family@aol.com