Breaking Barriers, Saving Lives: Suicide Prevention and the Role of Inclusive Fitness

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to shed light on one of the most urgent and often overlooked crises facing our society: the disproportionate impact of suicide and mental health struggles on people with disabilities.

Research shows that adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress nearly five times as often as adults without disabilities. Studies also reveal that people with developmental disabilities are at significantly higher risk for depression and anxiety, and tragically, for suicide ideation. 

Nationally, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 49,000 lives lost in 2023. For people with disabilities, the risks are compounded by social isolation, stigma, and systemic exclusion.

Adding to this crisis, 81% of people with disabilities say they feel unwelcome in traditional fitness spaces. This combination of exclusion and lack of support underscores the urgent need for inclusive, affirming communities.

Why the Risk Is So High

As Coach Emma, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at ZOOZ Fitness, explains:

“Many disabilities come with comorbid diagnoses — anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD. But it’s not just biological factors. Society wasn’t built for people with disabilities. From schools to gyms to public spaces, exclusion is baked into the system. That lack of belonging amplifies feelings of isolation, burden, and hopelessness.”

This risk is even more complex for LGBTQ+ individuals within the disability community, who often face multiple layers of stigma. Emma points out:

“Statistically, having just one affirming person in your life as an LGBTQ+ individual cuts your risk of suicide ideation or attempts in half. That support and acceptance is life-saving.”

How Fitness Helps

Spaces like ZOOZ Fitness—one of only a few gyms in the U.S. designed for people with both developmental and physical disabilities—offer more than workouts. They provide belonging.

Fitness naturally boosts endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, chemicals linked to improved mood. But the benefits go deeper: athletes gain structure, confidence, and social connection.

Studies show that as little as 15 minutes of physical activity a day can reduce the risk of major depression by 26%. Yet, nearly 60% of adults with mobility disabilities report engaging in no aerobic activity at all. This inactivity not only raises risks of chronic disease but also deepens vulnerability to depression and suicidal ideation.

“At ZOOZ, stimming is normal. Different communication styles are normal. Everyone belongs. And while you’re moving your body, you’re also gaining confidence, hitting goals, and proving to yourself you’re capable. That combination is powerful for mental health,” says Emma.

Barriers Beyond Fitness

While access to fitness is critical, people with disabilities face systemic barriers across nearly every area of life that contribute to mental health struggles:

• Healthcare: Many clinics and providers lack accessible equipment or training to properly serve patients with disabilities.
• Employment: Only 22% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 65% of non-disabled people. Unemployment contributes to financial strain and loss of identity.
• Education: Curricula often fail to adapt to diverse learning needs, leaving students feeling excluded.
• Built Environment: Inaccessible buildings, transportation, and public spaces reinforce daily reminders that society wasn’t designed with them in mind.

These barriers create cumulative stress, increasing the likelihood of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Storytelling as Prevention

This theme of isolation, resilience, and inclusion also drives Coach Allison’s documentaryMeandering Scars, which explores suicide and mental health struggles in the disability community. 

Nearly five years in the making, the film follows the remarkable journey of Erika Bogan—a wheelchair user, CrossFit and Spartan athlete, and survivor of domestic violence—on her daring attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Her climb was more than a physical challenge; it was a personal mission to shed light on the mental health crisis among people with disabilities. Erika herself battled suicidal thoughts and lost many friends with disabilities to suicide.

“I learned through making this movie that most people with disabilities aren’t struggling with their disability itself,” Allison said. “They are struggling with the inaccessibility of society, judgements from others, and the financial burdens of a faulty system. That’s why it’s more important than ever to create and elevate spaces like ZOOZ Fitness, where inclusion and joy are at the center of everything we do.”

Meandering Scars reminds us that behind every statistic is a story, a life, and a fight for dignity.

Big-Picture Reflections

Suicide prevention is often framed in clinical terms—therapy, medication, crisis lines. While these are crucial, prevention also requires cultural change.

People with disabilities are not inherently at higher risk for poor mental health because of their conditions. They are at higher risk because of societal exclusion. Stairs without ramps, classrooms without accommodations, gyms without adaptations—all send the message: you don’t belong. Over time, that message erodes confidence and hope.

Inclusion saves lives. Creating communities like ZOOZ, telling stories like Meandering Scars, and designing spaces where every body belongs are not just nice add-ons—they are suicide prevention strategies. They affirm dignity, reduce isolation, and build resilience.

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‍Moving Forward

Suicide Prevention Month is a call to action. We must create more inclusive spaces, amplify affirming stories, and ensure that people with disabilities are seen, valued, and supported. Fitness, film, and community can all play a role in saving lives.

Because when everyone has a place where they belong, it doesn’t just improve mental health—it prevents tragedy.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.