September is National Suicide Prevention Month. As it wraps up, we want to say something plainly: if you are struggling, you are not alone, and help is available right now. Call or text 988 anytime to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Why this matters to us
Prescott House has worked with men since 1988. Men die by suicide at far higher rates than women, and many of them never tell anyone they are struggling.
Addiction raises that risk. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, and compulsive sexual behavior pile up shame, isolation, debt, and broken relationships, and that weight can make it hard to see a way forward. Gambling disorder in particular is linked to high rates of suicidal thoughts, often driven by financial crisis.
What we also see is what gives us hope: men get better. Recovery gives back what isolation takes away. Connection, honesty, purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. We see it in the men who walk through our doors and in the alumni who come back to tell us about their lives.
Signs worth paying attention to
- Talking about being a burden or having no reason to live
- Pulling away from friends and family
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
- More drinking or drug use, or a sudden spike in gambling losses
- Extreme mood swings, or a sudden calm after a period of deep distress
If you notice these in someone you love, it is okay to ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" Asking does not plant the idea. It opens the door.
If you or someone you love needs help
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
- Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1.
- If addiction is part of the picture, call us at (866) 425-2470. We will talk through options, even if Prescott House is not the right fit.
Reaching out is not weakness. For a lot of the men we know, it was the first step toward a life they did not think was possible.
Suicide rate data: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, 2023.
