We celebrate World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. Around 800,000 people worldwide are affected by it each year. However, according to National Centre For Biotechnology Information, estimates place the figure closer to 1.5 million. Suicide is the most significant cause of death for people aged between 15-29. There are up to 40 suicide attempts for every suicide that ends in death.
There has been a sharp increase in suicide in recent years. To combat it, organizations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Association For Suicide Prevention (IASP), and the World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH), have joined forces to organize several World Suicide Prevention Day activities and campaigns in more than 70 countries.
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The number of suicides worldwide may be underreported since people are reluctant to talk about it, it’s illegal in most nations, and it might impact things like life insurance claims. Therefore, the issue is more severe than we realize.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, thousands of special events are held in dozens of nations worldwide. These events are intended to inform people about the realities of suicide and how organizations, governments, and private citizens can work to lessen the likelihood of people committing suicide.
This year’s suicide prevention week theme is “creating hope through action.”
Theme “Creating Hope Through Action.”
This year’s theme creating hope through actions aims to inspire faith and light in all of us so that our efforts may provide hope to those who are struggling, no matter how big or small. Preventing suicide is often likely, and you are a vital performer in its prevention. Through action, you can make a distinction to someone in their darkest moments. We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis.
Through our actions, we may show those contemplating suicide that there is hope, that we care about them, and there is available. It also implies that our efforts, no matter how great or tiny, might give those having a hard time hope. Finally, it emphasizes how crucial it is for nations to make suicide prevention a top priority for public health, especially in cases where access to mental health care and the availability of evidence-based interventions are already limited. It is possible to picture a world where suicides are less common by expanding on this theme and communicating this message.
As members of society, children, parents, friends, coworkers, or people with lived experience, we can all contribute to helping those in a suicidal crisis or who have lost a loved one to suicide. We can spread awareness, help those in need, and share our personal experiences. Through our actions, we may all spread hope and shine a light.
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Takeaway
To prevent suicide through proactive counseling and support, let’s collaborate with our family, friends, healthcare professionals, and religious and political leaders.
Now that you know about the suicide prevention week, do you know about the new suicide hotline number? To learn more about it, click here.
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