World Suicide Prevention Day – Tuesday 10th September

Anyone who has been affected by the suicide of a loved one knows how devastating this can be and the ripple effects of the tragedy reach far and wide, not just family members and friends but whole communities as well.

What is World Suicide Prevention Day?
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.

Each year has a different theme and focus, to bring to light a specific aspect of suicide prevention.

Why is it important?
In 2017, in the UK and Ireland alone, over 6,000 people died of suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.

And we know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable.

More resources, facts,  figures and myths can be found on the Samaritans website at www.samaritans.org/world-suicide-prevention-day

The Samaritans campaign alongside over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups as 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 each support each other better.  Find out more at www.samaritans.org/national-suicide-prevention-alliance

What can you do?
Global awareness days like World Suicide Prevention Day (Tuesday 10th September) and World Mental Health Day (Thursday 10th October) are a great opportunity for us all to start conversations and change attitudes around mental health.

If you’re not sure where to get started, visit the Time To Change website at www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/five-ways to read about five ways to change attitudes.

Throughout October, Time To Change will be promoting their Ask Twice campaign, which encourages everyone to find out how their friends, family and colleagues really are by asking ‘how are you?’ twice. Watch their short campaign film at www.time-to-change.org.uk/asktwice and help spread the message

The official World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 website www.iasp.info/wspd2019  was created by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). You can browse the website to find WSPD banners, the World Suicide Prevention Day brochure in various languages, Light a Candle postcards, #WSPD facts and figures and resources.  You can also learn about IASP’s Cycle Around the Globe event that is increasing in popularity every year.

Locally, an exhibition of photographs that represents hope for a group of patients and carers who have been affected by suicide will go on display between 10.30am to 5.30pm on 10th September in the Rates Hall of the Town Hall Extension to raise awareness on World Suicide Prevention Day.