September 2025

Sep 1, 2025 By: Dr. Niki Serravalle

Monthly Newsletter

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

These conversations can be difficult, but bringing them into the open saves lives.

In this edition, we are sharing signs to look for, practical CBT tools, local resources, and reminders of hope.

This month’s blog focuses on Recognizing the Signs of Suicide Risk

Awareness is the first step in prevention.

Learn the common warning signs and how to respond with compassion and care.

Read Full Article Here

A CBT Skill for Hopeless Thoughts

When hopeless thoughts appear, try this short exercise:

Write down the painful thought.
Ask: What evidence supports it? What evidence doesn’t?
Replace it with a more balanced thought.
Small shifts in thinking can ease the weight of despair.”

EXPLORE MORE SKILLS HERE

Stories of Hope

Kisha’s story reminds us all what’s important.

“You can be uncomfortable and you can also recognize so many other things about yourself. Being able to recognize that there’s more out of every situation and we have the choice and the opportunity to pick which part of that situation we’re going to focus on.”

Ellie’s story bring a lot of hope to remembering connection.

WATCH MORE STORIES HERE

You are never alone

Local Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: available 24/7
Delaware Helpline: 1-800-652-2929
Local resources & support groups:
- Sean’s House: https://seanshousesl24.com
- Crisis Intervetnion: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dsamh/crisis_intervention/
- DJ’s Alliance: https://djsalliance.com/

National or Online Resources

Crisis and Suicide Prevention

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 (available 24/7 across the U.S.)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (24/7, free support from trained crisis counselors)
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 (for veterans, service members, and families)
The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 (LGBTQ+ youth crisis and support line, 24/7)
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (peer support run by and for trans people, available in the U.S. and Canada)

Mental Health and Peer Support

NAMI HelpLine (National Alliance on Mental Illness): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 741741 (Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET)
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (for mental health and substance use treatment referrals, available 24/7, confidential, multilingual)
Mental Health America (MHA): mhanational.org (screenings, education, and resources)
ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders): 1-888-375-7767 (free, peer support for eating disorders)

Online & Community Resources

To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA): twloha.com/find-help (resources, stories, and treatment locators)
AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention): afsp.org (education, survivor support, and local chapters)
FindTreatment.gov: Online directory for mental health and substance use providers in the U.S.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Niki Serravalle

Dr. Niki Serravalle's career began 23 years ago at Sheppard Pratt, where she was introduced to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and trauma. From there, she continued her training as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for Mountain Manner in Maryland. After graduating with her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, she began working with children and adolescents for Laurel Life in their IOP program. This is when she gained certification for Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA).