11/09/2025
September is not just a month for me, it’s a movement, and I’m Stephanie Joy Smith, a British neuropsy-chologist working in Brazil. September has become Su***de Prevention and Awareness Month.
Every individual we reach during this month, and thus making them aware of such a taboo subject, is one more individual who can be a catalyst of change.
Why this started for me.
I rang a friend one day, someone I hadn’t spoken to in years. We had a brief conversation mainly small talk, nothing more.
Many months afterwards they reached out to share that when I called they had decided to take their own life and were writing their final words. By helping them activate a protective factor, which I discuss in later posts, they are alive today.
Below are a couple of free resources if you or someone you know is struggling:
Brazil: CVV - 188
USA: Lifeline - 988
UK: Samaritans - 116 123
International: findahelpline.com
***deAwarenessPrevention
