September 12, 2025
September Greetings!
It feels like September crept up on us but the cooler temps are a welcome reprieve to the Summer heat. Keep reading to hear what we are up to this month and learn more about how you can support someone in crisis. This month is chock full of great resources and upcoming offerings!
Every September, we observe Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, sharing hope, and reminding each other that help is always available. While suicide can feel like a difficult, uncomfortable, or even scary topic, talking about it openly and compassionately is one of the most powerful ways to save lives.
This month serves as a reminder to all of us.
You are not alone.
Suicide is preventable, and together we can speak up, share resources, and save lives.
According to the CDC, over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023 in the US alone. That is 1 death every 11 minutes. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. In North Carolina, over 1,500 people died by suicide in 2023 according to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and 88% of communities did not have the mental health resources to support their residents. Due to stigma and misclassification, numbers related to suicide deaths are likely underreported, meaning the actual numbers may be higher.
While the numbers are important to know and help us understand the severity, Suicide Prevention Month is about so much more. Behind every number is a person. A friend, parent, sibling, coworker, neighbor, or the person you pass driving to work every day. That’s why Suicide Prevention Month is about creating a culture of compassion, where we look out for one another and speak up when someone seems to be struggling.
Suicidal thoughts can feel like an overwhelming darkness or an unbearable weight that makes it hard to breathe, think clearly, or believe things will ever get better. A person experiencing suicidal ideation may feel hopeless, isolated, or like a burden to others, even if that’s far from the truth. It’s not always about wanting life to end, it’s often about desperately needing the pain to stop.
But there is hope, even when it’s hard to see. Pain can ease, situations can change, and healing is possible. You are not alone, and your life matters more than you know.
Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. We can all work together to create safe spaces where people can say, “I’m not okay,” without being met with judgement.
Causes and Warning Signs
Suicide is complex and rarely the result of a single factor. Often, it stems from a mix of mental health challenges, life stressors, trauma, isolation, or hopelessness. Some common contributing factors might include depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, substance use, chronic pain or illness, financial concerns or job loss, grief or loss of a loved one, history of trauma or abuse, lack of access to mental health care, and/ or feelings of isolation or not belonging. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other concerns and struggles may be present.
Some common warning signs may include: talking about feeling hopeless or like a burden, withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed, drastic changes in mood or behavior, increased use of drugs or alcohol, or giving away prized possessions. It is important to know that not everyone will exhibit these signs, and some signs may be subtle. If you are concerned about someone, it is okay to ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide. As scary as it may seem to ask someone about suicide, research actually shows that bringing up the topic will not increase their risk.
How You Can Help
Suicide IS preventable. Below are several ideas and resources that can help support suicide prevention.
Let’s Talk About It
Start conversations. Normalize therapy. Make it okay to say “I need help.” Check in on your strong friend and your quiet one.
Professional Support
There’s no shame in seeing a mental health professional. Just as we would go to the doctor if we broke a bone or weren’t feeling well, we can seek help and treatment for our brains too! While meeting with a therapist, they can help you create a safety plan to support you in identifying resources to utilize in times of distress and/ or crisis. Psychology Today is a great resource to find local mental health therapists and psychiatrists.
Reduce Access to Means
This may feel scary or uncomfortable, but it can be life-saving. Simple things like securing firearms or limiting access to medications can buy time and reduce impulsive attempts.
Community & Connection
Loneliness is a huge risk factor. Make time for the people you care about. Send the text. Make the call. Show up in the ways that you can.
If you are struggling right now, You Are Not Alone.
So many people have stood where you’re standing, and we hear you. We want you to stay.
If things feel dark or overwhelming, please consider talking to someone or seeking out a resource to help. You can call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It’s free and confidential. The folks on the other end of the line are trained and ready to support you. You can also text HELLO to 741741(the Crisis Text Line) to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
It takes strength to ask for help. You deserve to be heard and are worthy of support.
Suicide Prevention Month is about hope, healing, and action. It’s about learning how to be there for each other. It’s about making mental health part of the everyday conversation, not just when something tragic happens. And it’s about recognizing that every single one of us has the power to help prevent suicide just by being human, being present, and being willing to care.
If you’re here reading this, thank you. You are already part of the solution.
So let’s commit to keeping the conversation going, not just in September, but all year long. Our commitment at Take Root is continuing education and training. In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, our clinicians will be participating in a refresher course for safety planning to better support our client’s and keep them safe.
Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 or visit crisistextline.org
- AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention): https://afsp.org
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org
- The Trevor Project (support for LGBTQ+ youth): https://www.thetrevorproject.org
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org
- Psychology Today (find local mental health professionals) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). Suicide Data and Statistics
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2024). State Facts
Our Community Partners
Nutritious Thoughts
We love our partners at Nutritious Thoughts! Join this partnered support group facilitated by Nutritious Thoughts and Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders. This group aims to provide virtual space for those struggling to find a helpful community for ED recovery. This group is open to the public and free for folks 18+. If you are interested make sure to RSVP to groups@crcfored.com to receive the correct affiliate link.
This support group will meet on Wednesdays, 6-7pm EST as an ongoing group meeting.
Getting Jiggly With it – Movement In A Fat Body
Guest Ragen Chastain is leading a movement class for Current Wellness on Oct. 4th from 1-2:30pm. Movement/fitness/exercise by any definition is never an obligation or barometer of worthiness. But for fat people who want to move our bodies within a fat positive, Health at Every Size framework – whether it’s because we enjoy it, or because of the benefit(s) we get from it (even if we don’t enjoy it), whatever our reasons, a fatphobic culture can create barriers, misinformation, and other difficulties for us.In this workshop we’ll explore tips, tricks, and information to help us move our bodies for our own reasons, within a fat positive framework.
We Are HIRING!
This is an exciting opportunity for a therapist interested in working with an outpatient therapy practice, featuring highly skilled and creative therapists who offer specialized treatment to clients of all ages struggling with eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and depression. Take Root Counseling and Coaching treatment values include: client as expert, individualized treatment, doing what works with creativity and nonconformity, grounded compassion, and liberation and anti-oppression. This is a full-time therapist position for a therapist interested in working with a thriving group practice that fosters clinicians in a thoughtful, kind, and collaborative culture. If you know of anyone who you think might be a good fit for our team please feel free to send them the link in the button below!
Upcoming Support Groups
Dates: Sept. 18th through November 13th and December 4th through February 5th
Time: Thursdays, 6 – 7:00 pm
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Cost: $20 per session (pro bono option available)
Who: This group is for folks 18+
The workshop will meet once per week for 60 minute sessions and will cover the following:
- Week 1: Mindfulness
- Week 2 : Emotional Regulation
- Week 3: Distress tolerance
- Week 4: Interpersonal Effectiveness
Erin Lewis, she/her, is a doctoral intern at Take Root Counseling and Coaching. She is a fully licensed clinician and specializes in trauma and dissociative disorders. Erin feels blessed to share that she has an emotional support animal, ESA named Glenn Coco, who comes to work with her daily.
Her communication style is a blend of humor and bluntness. She strives to be as transparent as possible in order to facilitate better communication with clients.
Dates: September 18th & 25th and October 2nd & 9th (4 weeks)
Time: Thursdays, 6 – 7:30pm
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Cost: $250
Who: This group is for folks 18+
The workshop will meet once per week for 90 minute sessions and will cover the following:
- Week 1: Why did this happen and where do I go from here?
- Week 2 : Dos and don’ts for food and fitness
- Week 3: Codependency and boundaries: when recovery is and when it isn’t your job
- Week 4: Self-care, self-compassion and getting your own help
Jordan Poole, LCMHC, “JP” (she/ her) will be leading this group. JP is Take Root’s clinical director and has extensive experience as a group therapist and working specifically with families who have a family member with an Eating Disorder. She specializes in the treatment of Eating Disorders and is passionate about supporting and empowering families as they experience such challenges.
Register for Parents & Partners
Dates: October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and November 1st (6 weeks)
Time: Wednesday evenings from 6 – 7 pm
Location: At our lovely office, 102 New Edition Ct. in Cary, NC
Cost: $40 per session due at the time of session or $200 if you are paying in full, up front. We ask that all participants commit to the full 6 weeks.
Who: This group is for folks 16+
About the Teacher
Lauren Kenney (she,her) is a compassionate and dedicated therapist specializing in helping individuals navigate life’s most challenging moments. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate, she works with teens and adults (15+) to create a safe, supportive environment where they can explore and heal from struggles such as eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment concerns, and life transitions.
As a Registered Yoga Teacher, I can also incorporate trauma-informed yoga into sessions.Trauma informed yoga is an approach that integrates the principles of trauma sensitivity and mindfulness into the practice of yoga. This practice emphasizes body awareness, grounding techniques, and breathing exercises, allowing individuals to reconnect with their bodies in a gentle and empowering way. When incorporated into therapy, trauma-informed yoga can complement traditional talk therapies, helping clients process trauma, reduce stress, and regulate emotions. The focus is on creating a sense of control, safety, and empowerment, which is essential for healing from past trauma.
This Bisexual Pride Month, our Take Root Team stands with love and pride for the bisexual community. We celebrate and uplift all who identify as bisexual—including trans, ace, non-binary, and aro individuals—whose stories, strength, and presence deserve to be seen and honored. Visibility matters. Representation matters. Love always matters. Let’s continue to listen, support, and amplify bisexual voices—not just this month, but every day. Want to learn more about the bisexual community? Check out https://bi.org/en and https://biresource.org/ for more info!
Mark your calendar for the Take Root Open House! Come enjoy coffee, delicious breakfast treats, and our make-and-take beaded bracelet station. We look forward to spending the morning with you and sharing our new space!
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! We look forward to visiting your inbox again soon:) If the info in this email felt helpful, and you know someone who might also think so, please consider passing it along and sharing- we are so grateful for your support.
Kindly,
The Take Root Team
Receive this email from a friend or loved one? If you’d like to read The Sprout monthly, you can sign up HERE.
