September: Reflecting on Suicide Prevention and Human Trafficking Awareness

September is a time to reflect on both the brokenness of our world and the hope that compassion can bring. Suicide prevention and human trafficking awareness are deeply connected issues, each rooted in vulnerability, isolation, and despair. Survivors of trafficking often carry invisible wounds of trauma that can lead to hopelessness, while those wrestling with suicidal thoughts are at risk of being exploited. These are not separate tragedies but intertwined realities that call us to respond with empathy and action.

Global Perspective

The statistics are sobering. According to the World Health Organization (2023), more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, making it the second leading cause of death among people aged 15–29. The 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates that 50 million people live in modern slavery, including forced labor and marriage, with more than 12 million children among them. The UNODC reports that nearly 1 in 5 identified trafficking victims globally are children. These numbers are cries for help from people whose suffering demands our compassion and action.

United States

As a global leader, the United States is not exempt. Mental health challenges increase vulnerability to exploitation, and trafficking survivors often live under the heavy weight of depression, fear, and despair. To lead by example, the U.S. must:

• Expand access to affordable mental health care and crisis services, ensuring broad support for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

• Strengthen anti-trafficking enforcement while expanding survivor-centered services like housing, counseling, and economic opportunities.

• Invest in prevention through education and training for schools, healthcare providers, and frontline workers.

• Foster collaboration between mental health and trafficking response systems to create comprehensive safety nets.

Congress is considering bipartisan measures that reflect this commitment. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2023 (H.R. 4851) seeks to strengthen the 988 lifeline. The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act (H.R. 5856) would update key anti-trafficking programs. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) awaits reauthorization after its international provisions lapsed in 2021. Another major step is the Stop CSAM Act of 2025 (S.1829 / H.R.3921), which advanced in the Senate with a unanimous vote and would empower survivors of online exploitation and hold tech platforms accountable.

Maryland

In Maryland, 608 people died by suicide in 2022 (CDC, USAFacts), making it the 11th leading cause of death. Surveys in 2023 revealed that 22% of high school students seriously considered suicide and 10% attempted it (Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023). Maryland is also a known corridor for trafficking, with the Human Trafficking Hotline identifying 152 cases in 2023 and 179 cases in 2024 (Polaris). A 2025 report by the University of Maryland SAFE Center documented over 1,000 labor trafficking survivors served in the state, with about 20% minors and 17% aged 18–25.

Maryland can lead by focusing on three priorities: expanding crisis response services, strengthening school-based mental health and trafficking awareness, and enhancing survivor-centered services such as housing and workforce development.

Recent legislative progress includes HB0763 (2025), sponsored by Delegate Steve Johnson, which would require that Maryland’s middle school curriculum include education on human and sex trafficking. The bill passed the House on March 11, 2025 (137–3) and is now under consideration in the Senate. If enacted, it would bring trafficking prevention directly into classrooms at a formative age. Other states such as Texas and Florida have already integrated trafficking prevention into school curricula, showing how early education can reduce vulnerabilities.

Other progress includes SB0036/HB0421, allowing 911 funds to support 988 operations, SB0900/HB1146, requiring statewide integration of the 988 lifeline, and SB0310, expanding youth suicide prevention in schools. On trafficking, the HB0001/SB0007 “See Someone, Save Someone Act” mandates awareness training across transportation agencies.

Kenya

Kenya’s challenges remind us this is a global struggle. The Kenya Suicide Prevention Strategy (2021–2026) cites a suicide rate of 11.0 per 100,000, though some studies place it closer to 6.1. Surveys show 22.6% of students over 15 report suicidal thoughts, with young men increasingly at risk. Kenya is also classified as a Tier 2 country in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report (2023), remaining a source, transit, and destination for trafficking. Children are exploited in labor and sexual trades, while adults seeking work fall prey to forced labor, deepened by poverty and unemployment.

For HopeWorks Global, these realities matter deeply. Our roots are in Kenya, where we continue to create economic opportunities that prevent exploitation and support resilience. Every statistic represents families and communities we know personally: widows striving to provide, youth seeking education, and families fighting to break free from poverty. Kenya’s struggles mirror those in Maryland and the U.S., underscoring our unique role: connecting lessons across continents to show that prevention, education, and empowerment can bring hope and healing.

Moving From Awareness to Action

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month alongside Human Trafficking Awareness, we must remember these are not isolated issues but intertwined battles for human dignity. Every statistic hides a story. Every life matters. The responsibility is ours:

• Advocate for those suffering in silence.

• Support awareness efforts that bring hidden struggles into the light.

• Build compassionate, trauma-informed communities.

• Collaborate across sectors to protect and heal.

At HopeWorks Global, we invite you to join us in this mission. Through prevention education, survivor empowerment, and economic opportunities, we work every day to ensure fewer lives are lost to despair or exploitation. Your involvement, whether through learning, volunteering, or supporting our work, can be the difference between despair and hope. Visit www.hopeworksglobal.org or contact us at info@hopeworksglobal.org to get involved today.