September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise visibility about suicide, reduce stigma, and promote resources that support people in crisis. At the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV), we recognize the importance of this month not only as a public health priority but also as a critical moment to acknowledge the deep and often overlooked connection between suicide and domestic violence.

The Overlapping Impact of Trauma and Violence

Survivors of domestic violence may experience prolonged trauma, isolation, and control that can significantly impact mental health. Abusive partners may use threats of suicide as a tactic of coercion or manipulate a survivor’s mental health status to undermine their credibility or restrict their freedom. At the same time, survivors may face:

• Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts due to prolonged abuse and hopelessness.
• Barriers to mental health support, such as fear of the abuser, stigma, lack of access to culturally competent care, or economic dependence.
• Discrimination and marginalization for BIPOC survivors, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and those with disabilities, which can amplify the risk and reduce available resources.

It is critical to understand that suicide prevention is also a part of safety planning and survivor support.

What You Can Do

• Listen without judgment. Create space for open, stigma-free conversations around mental health and trauma.
• Believe survivors. Validation and connection can be life-saving.
• Know the signs. Withdrawal, hopelessness, and talk of being a burden can be indicators of distress.
• Promote access to healing. Culturally responsive and trauma-informed care makes a difference.

Resources and Support

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please know that support is available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
  Please note: When calling 988, there is a possibility that law enforcement may be dispatched depending on the situation and location. This may not always align with a trauma-informed or survivor-centered response.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 or www.thehotline.org
  Offers confidential support and safety planning 24/7.
• New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline – 1-800-942-6906
  Available 24/7 with options for multilingual support.
• StrongHearts Native Helpline – 1-844-762-8483 or www.strongheartshelpline.org
  Culturally-appropriate support for Native American and Alaska Native communities.
• Trans Lifeline – 1-877-565-8860 or www.translifeline.org
  Peer support run by and for trans people.
• The Trevor Project – 1-866-488-7386 or www.thetrevorproject.org
  Support for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.

A Note for Advocates

If you are supporting someone who may be at risk of suicide and is also navigating domestic violence, safety planning should include conversations about mental health and crisis response options, including whether contacting emergency services may increase risk. Always prioritize a survivor’s sense of agency, dignity, and cultural context when exploring options together.

We All Have a Role

Supporting survivors means also supporting their mental health. During Suicide Prevention Month—and every month—let us commit to creating safe, compassionate, and empowering spaces where no one feels alone.