WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY – 10th September – Every year organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.
The latest suicide statistics showed that in 2018, in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died by suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.
And we know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable. But not being okay is still widely stigmatised. And governments can still make better, more ambitious plans to prevent suicide.
Every year The Samaritans campaign with over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA).
Together, they ask governments in the UK and Ireland to make suicide prevention a priority and help raise awareness about how we can support each other better.
This year’s theme, which will be the theme until 2023, is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, which aims to empower people with the confidence to engage with the complexity of ‘hope’.
For ideas on how to support World Suicide Day head over to The Samaritans website.
Every year the Samaritans campaign with over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA). Together, they ask governments in the UK and Ireland to make suicide prevention a priority.
They also raise awareness about Samaritans, and suicide prevention and provide tips on how to take care of yourself and others better. This World Suicide Prevention Day, if you’re worried someone might be experiencing suicidal thoughts – they encourage you to ask them directly.
Asking someone if they’re suicidal won’t make things worse. Evidence shows it could protect them.
If someone is feeling suicidal, it might be hard to get through to them. They might be distant or distracted or feel disconnected from the world and their own emotions. They might not respond right away. But asking someone directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts can give them permission to tell you how they feel.
If someone does let you know that they are having suicidal thoughts, always take them seriously. You don’t have to be an expert, just being there to listen and showing you care can help them work through what’s going on. Let them know they’re not a burden and there’s always someone they can turn to – whether it’s a family member or friend, or a 24/7 helpline like Samaritans.
It’s OK to ask about suicidal thoughts. It could save a life. People who have been suicidal have often said it is a relief to talk about thoughts they are experiencing. Just being there to listen and showing you care can help. If they want to talk to someone else about how they are feeling, they can call Samaritans.
Rethink Mental Health writes that in the UK, men are three times as likely to die by suicide than women. In the Republic of Ireland, the rate is four times higher among men than women. While there has been a reduction in the number of people completing suicide over the last ten years, the numbers are still worryingly high. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to start the conversation about suicide and to show that recovery is possible.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, the North West London Suicide Prevention Programme is hosting a free event discussing the barriers faced by people bereaved by suicide. To book, please register via our Event Bright page.
Also during this week, their Mental Health Training team will also be running our suicide awareness training. For more details, please visit our suicide awareness training page.
For IASP, World Suicide Prevention Day is more than just one day and their awareness period continues until World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October.
They are delighted to share with their supporters the new World Suicide Prevention Day Awareness Film. The WSPD Awareness film promotes the current theme, ‘Creating Hope Through Action’. The film aims to inspire confidence and light in us all to act, by reaching into a person who may be struggling, by encouraging understanding within ourselves and our communities and by sharing our experiences to impart a message of hope.
Around 700,000 people die by suicide every year, with over 75% of suicides occurring in low-and-middle-income countries. Suicide is a global concern and a serious public health issue in every country; however, suicides are preventable. By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world.
World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on 10 September every year, exists as a platform to raise awareness of suicide and to promote preventative measures with the aim to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally.
They encourage you to share this film and use their resources, guides and information on the IASP WSPD website and join them in taking action during this time.
Source: The Samaritans ReThink Mental Health ISAP Back Pain Blog
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Great post.
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Thanks
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