September is Suicide Prevention Month around the world. It’s an important month in which we open up the conversation about mental health and suicide. Because the statistics on young people’s mental health are no longer just a warning—they’re a reality we cannot ignore. You don’t have to deal with mental health issues alone, behind the closed door of your room. It takes courage to show your vulnerability. And it requires something from all of us: genuine attention to the people around us. According to a new research from the JAMA Network shows that more and more young people are talking to AI chatbots about their mental health issues. The Leiden University reports that young people are using ChatGPT for this purpose. Perhaps this makes sense: it’s anonymous, immediately available, and seems to listen without judgment. Technology can offer a temporary outlet, but it can never replace genuine human connection or professional help. That’s why we shouldn’t just ask ourselves what technology can do for us, but above all, what we can do for one another. Send that message. Ask again if someone says they’re “doing fine.” Listen without immediately offering a solution. Give someone the space to tell their story. Sometimes, just your presence makes a difference. Suicide prevention deserves our attention not only in September, but all year round. By talking, listening, and truly looking out for one another, we can build an environment together where no one has to face things alone.
Are you thinking about suicide, or are you worried about someone else? Talk about it. Call 113 or the toll-free number 0800-0113, or chat anonymously via 113 Suicide Prevention. If your life is in immediate danger, call 112.
