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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

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Tell Your Heart Story

September is Tell Your Heart Story Month 

What keeps you going when life gets tough? 

ANTHC recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and invites you to share how you navigate challenges and create more good days. Throughout the month, we will provide strategies that support well-being, strengthen resilience, and remind you that you are not alone.  

Join Alaskans across the state in recognizing Tell Your Heart Story Month and World Suicide Prevention Day. From September 1-10, 2026, participate in an online scavenger hunt and candle-lighting activity that celebrates the connections that help us thrive.   

Complete the survey between September 10-15, 2026, for a chance to win $100 in Amazon gift cards. We will select winners at random. Alaska residents may submit one entry per person.  

Disclaimer: Need support? If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If there is an immediate emergency, call 911.  

Tell Your Heart Story Month Activity: September 1-15

Life can feel overwhelming at times. Our connection to nature, community, culture, and creativity can help us find strength, build resilience, and create more good days. Seeking support is a sign of strength, and offering support is an act of care.    

What we will learn:  

How connection helps you build strength, resilience, and create more good days. 

Explore how nature, community, culture, creativity, and storytelling support well-being. 

Learn how supporting others fosters confidence, belonging, and hope. 

Fill out the Survey Below Between September 10-15 and be Entered to Win!

Take Action

This week, try one or more of these ideas to help create more good days: 

  • Spend time on the land or outdoors. 
  • Learn a skill or teaching from an Elder, family member, or mentor. 
  • Check in with a friend, teammate, or family member. 
  • Participate in a cultural or community activity. 
  • Create something that reflects your interests, experiences, or culture. 
  • Share a story, lesson, or experience—or take time to listen to someone else’s. 
Reflect 

After you’ve completed one or more activities, think about:  

  • Which activity made you feel most connected?  
  • How did it help you have a better day? 
  • What is one thing you can do this week to keep that connection strong? 
Online Activity 

How to participate:  

  • The activity focuses on finding objects that symbolize community, culture, nature, creativity, and coping skills. 
  • Reflect on the connections that support your well-being.  
  • Light a candle on September 10 in remembrance of those lost to suicide. 
  • Complete the survey between September 10 and 15, 2026 

 

Survey participants will be entered for a chance to win $100 in Amazon gift cards.  

Eligibility: Alaska residents only. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random. 

Nature

  • The land and water provide healing, strength, and renewal. 
  • Activities like hunting, fishing, berry picking, harvesting, trapping, camping, cutting wood, and helping at fish camp strengthen wellness and connection. 
  • Learning traditional skills from Elders and family members builds confidence and resilience. 

Community

  • Checking in with friends, teammates, and family members helps people feel supported. 
  • Strong communities are built through teamwork, respect, and helping one another. 
  • We do not have to go through hard days alone. 

Culture

  • Culture provides identity, belonging, and purpose. 
  • Activities such as drumming, dancing, singing, indigenous language learning, storytelling, carving, beading, and cultural gatherings strengthen connection and pride. 
  • Elders and cultural teachings help guide us through challenges. 

Creativity

  • Creativity helps us express ourselves and connect with others. 
  • Activities such as carving, woodworking, art, photography, filmmaking, music, storytelling, and digital media build confidence and strengthen identity. 
  • Every person has talents, gifts, and experiences worth sharing. 
Resources

ANTHC Behavioral Health Wellness Clinic 

ANTHC Behavioral Health Wellness Clinic offers telehealth counseling, assessments, and referral support to Tribal beneficiaries 18 and older anywhere in Alaska. You can access our care from your personal cell phone or computer. To learn more or become a client, visit anthc.org/bhwc or call 907-729-2492 Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.   

988  

988 is more than just a number – it is a direct connection to 24/7 compassionate, accessible support for people experiencing mental health-related distress. Call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org, if you or someone you know needs crisis support. 

StrongHearts Native Helpline 

StrongHearts Native Helpline is a free, 24/7 confidential domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline offering culturally appropriate support for Alaska Native and American Indian people. Call 1-844-762-8483 or chat online here.   

The Trevor Project 

The Trevor Project offers free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in suicidal or emotional crisis. Call 1-866-488-7386, text “START” to 678-678, or chat online here. 

For Others:

Talk with someone else about their strengths, such as:

  • Hope for the future
  • Coping and problem-solving skills


Support the development of our young people by:

  • Mentoring and offering guidance
  • Teaching cultural practices
  • Supporting their ideas and passions

Offer hope and support to someone in need by learning signs that someone may be in crisis, and how to help them access resources.

Attend training to develop your skills and increase awareness about suicide prevention.

Learn about available resources.