The Office of Suicide Prevention does not provide counseling, crisis, or emergency care. If you want to talk, contact 988. For immediate help, call 911.
Follow us on social media: @mdhsuicideprev
At the Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), we recognize that behavioral health is not a set of isolated issues but a complex, interconnected reality that impacts individuals, families, and communities in profound ways. Our office within BHA is entitled Integrated Wellness and Prevention, which houses the Suicide Prevention Program, the Problem Gambling Prevention Program, and the Substance Use Prevention Program.
Suicide, problem gambling, and substance use are deeply linked; they are all influenced by mental health, trauma, economic stressors, and social determinants of health. Addressing these challenges separately creates gaps in care. Instead, we focus on Integrated Wellness and Prevention, ensuring that individuals receive compassionate, coordinated support that meets them where they are rather than compartmentalizing their struggles.
By combining evidence-based strategies, community partnerships, and a commitment to person-centered care, we aim to treat people as whole humans, not in silos. Whether it’s through reducing stigma, increasing access to resources, or strengthening community-driven solutions, we work to create a Maryland where everyone has the support they need to thrive.
Join us in promoting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month!
Dear Marylanders,
Prevention is about more than responding in moments of crisis. It begins earlier by creating opportunities for connection, reducing stigma, supporting wellness, and making sure people know where and how to find help.
The Office of Integrated Wellness and Prevention, formerly the Office of Suicide Prevention, works year-round to promote mental well-being, prevent suicide, problem gambling, and substance use through education, partnerships, training, and public awareness efforts.
Each year, we lead Maryland’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month campaign to bring communities together and share practical tools that strengthen connection and build hope. This year, we invite you to explore the updated Connecting to Hope Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit and join us in creating communities where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach out.
According to the Vital Statistics Administration, Maryland, suicide remains a serious public health concern and a deeply personal one. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and affects people of all ages, races, ethnicities, identities, and communities.
Why Hope Matters
Hope is more than optimism. Hope is the belief that support exists, that change is possible, and that life can still hold meaning during difficult times. Connection to ourselves, to friends and family, to community, and to resources can help people feel supported and can make the difference between isolation and reaching out.
You do not need to feel hopeful all the time to connect to hope. Sometimes hope looks small: taking a walk, texting a friend, rereading a favorite book, attending an event, or simply choosing to rest. Pay attention to the things you are still willing to do, even during difficult moments. That is often where hope begins.
Ways to Connect to Hope
988 Day
September 8 is 988 Day, a national day of awareness and action that reminds us that support is available before a crisis becomes an emergency.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects people to trained counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you are experiencing emotional distress, concerned about someone else, or simply need support navigating a difficult moment, help is available.
This year, we encourage Marylanders to save 988 in their phones, share it with someone they care about, and use the day as an opportunity to start conversations about mental health, hope, and reaching out early. If you would like to help spread the word about 988, navigate to our Digital Materials section for social media posts to share on your platforms. We hope you will join us in saving lives across Maryland.
Connecting to Hope Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit
You can download, read, and share the updated “Connecting to Hope” Suicide Prevention Awareness Toolkit (
bit.ly/ConnectingtoHope).
Included in the toolkit are resources and media templates that can be shared widely, such as:
- Warning Signs of Suicide
- Risk Factors for Suicide
- Protective Factors for Suicide
- Lethal Means Safety
- Navigating the Behavioral Health System
- How to connect to yourself, others, and the community
Engage with Suicide Prevention Efforts Across Maryland
The list below is a mix of events and trainings across Maryland. It is organized by region.
Coming soon!
