Remember the Importance of Suicide Prevention this September

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and it’s important to know that there are resources to help you or your loved ones.  

Intermountain Health has continued to build on local hotline resources in response to growing behavioral health needs in communities throughout the state. This includes Intermountain’s Connect Care/Behavioral Health Hotline – the telehealth option for anyone in the state to use.  

“Suicide is something that impacts all of us, whether we have lost a loved one to suicide, been a listening ear for someone in a dark place, or have been in that place ourselves,” said Mason Turner, MD, senior medical director of behavioral health clinical programs at Intermountain Health.  “The Intermountain Behavioral Health Navigation Line gives Utahns a free resource to talk to someone about low-risk stressors or more complex issues, or serious mental health needs when someone is in crisis. Behavioral health counselors who answer the line can refer people to a variety of resources if there are needs for long-term help.” 

The expansion of Intermountain Behavioral Health Emergency Services include Access Centers for adults located at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, and St. George Regional Hospital, which are there for critical behavioral health crisis needs. The new Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center-Taylorsville Campus has an always-open walk-in crisis center and other services designed to support children and teens as well as their families. 

Here are three key words to remember when thinking of suicide prevention: Know – Help – Heal.  

Know

Know what to look for in yourself and those around you. Check-in with yourself, check-in with 
others, and know the risk factors and warning signs: 

• Changes in behavior or mood 
• Recent rejection or divorce 
• Giving away belongings 
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs 
• Talking about death, hopelessness, or being a burden to others 
• Financial loss or instability 

Check-in with yourself and others. If you think someone might be considering suicide, try asking these questions:  

• “It seems like something is up. Want to talk about it?”  
• “I noticed you have been more withdrawn. Are you doing okay?” 
• “Have you had thoughts of suicide?” 

“Asking questions can seem awkward, but asking direct questions can actually reduce suicide risk,” Dr. Turner “Be open to helping the person access resources should they respond that they are feeling unsafe.” 

Help

• Help yourself and others. 
• If someone is in acute crisis:
  • Call 911. 
  • Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline. 
• Contact Behavioral Health Navigation Services 833-442-2211. 
• Have the courage to help yourself through self-care.  

Heal

If you have been impacted by death by suicide, you are not alone. 

Intermountain has people and resources that can help you cope following a loss. 

A new resource, the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center- Taylorsville Campus, is a 90,000-square-foot facility made possible by donations and a $25 million investment from the State of Utah. 

The new center, which opened Sept. 6, 2025, is a state-of-the art, family-centered facility that features:  

• Patient rooms where parents can stay overnight with their child.  
• Family-friendly perks like spacious waiting rooms, a café, and an outpatient pharmacy. 
• 50 percent more inpatient beds that can be adapted to each child’s needs.  
• Large outpatient spaces with natural light, quiet rooms, and sensory spaces.  
• A new Crisis Walk-In Center, which is always open.

The new center also includes: 

• The statewide Assessment, Referral, Consultation Service (ARCS). This is a free service line that helps families find behavioral health resources, schedule an appointment, and more. Call 385-478-2400.
• The Stabilization and Mobile Response program. This is a free service, which sends a professional to your home to help your child or teen. Call the Utah Crisis Line by dialing 988 or use the SafeUT app.  

“We all have mental health, and no child or family is alone in their mental health journey,” said Amanda Choudhary, president of the Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center – Taylorsville, and leader of the Pediatric Behavioral Health service line for Intermountain Children’s Health. “There are many care options available, families can choose the one that fits their circumstances. We’re in this together.”   

If you would like to learn more about behavioral health services or need more resources for help, visit intermountainhealth.org/behavioralhealth. 

If you or a loved one is looking for mental well-being help, contact Intermountain’s free Behavioral Health Navigation Line at 833-442-2211. If someone is in danger of hurting themselves, contact the National Suicide Lifeline at 988.

Photo by Damir Samatkulov on Unsplash