The latest findings from the 2024 Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll, released in early October, reveal that most adults in the United States believe suicide is preventable. This biannual poll, conducted for nearly a decade by core Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) partners – the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) at EDC, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and The Harris Poll – explores how adults in the U.S. feel about suicide and mental health. 

The latest poll found that nine out of ten people in the U.S. believe that suicide can sometimes be prevented, highlighting an opportunity for Vibrant and other organizations to leverage this majority belief that suicide is preventable. Additionally, nearly 93% of adults would take action if they were worried about someone’s mental health, and almost eight in ten adults say they would likely reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline). This illustrates a willingness for individuals to start conversations and get involved in efforts to destigmatize discussions about mental health and suicide. However, 71% of respondents stated that something would stop them from discussing suicide, with one in four citing a lack of knowledge or not knowing the right words. 

The gap between believing that suicide is preventable and lacking an understanding of how to prevent it can be bridged through increased access to resources and tools. Vibrant is at the forefront of this effort, working tirelessly to improve access to the 988 Lifeline through initiatives like georouting, which connects callers to local support. Vibrant is also collaborating with other mental health organizations to raise awareness about the 988 Lifeline and equip people with the tools to initiate conversations about mental health. 

Vibrant is dedicated to raising awareness that the 988 Lifeline is not only a resource for those struggling with thoughts of suicide but also a service available for anyone in crisis and needs someone to talk to. These findings illustrate that we can have an impact. By providing individuals with tailored tools for their communities and ensuring they know where to find support, we can reduce the rate of suicide and offer assistance before an individual reaches a crisis point. 

Please click here for information about the poll data.