Last Sunday was World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. It is every 10th September and was started by International Association for Suicide Prevention and WHO in 2003. The aim is to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.

It is estimated that there are currently more than 700 000 suicides per year worldwide affecting many more people. It is a public health problem with social, emotional and economic consequences.

Now there is the theme, “Creating Hope Through Action” for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023, to remind everyone that there is an alternative to suicide. Our actions can encourage hope and strengthen prevention. 

I attended an event this week, where a company were looking for investors with a project that would shelter vulnerable men, men who were at risk of mental health problems and homelessness. It was really insightful, how social circumstances and psychological impacts can lead to a physical illness. It was also non-judgemental and practical.

Yesterday I went to a charity fair, there was a charity for young people there, that offers mental health support through rugby clubs, schools and universities.

Raising awareness and offering encouragement to be more open is where we can all start. Being there to listen and showing you care.  Be patient and non-judgemental. Do not be afraid to ask, are you thinking of ending your life? Then may be ask why, are you thinking of ending your life because you want to be dead, or is it because you want the situation you’re in or the way you feel to stop?

Then what do you do? If the person is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If it is not an emergency there are charities, such as The Samaritans, the person’s general practitioner, NHS 111 or specialist mental health services.

This can be very stressful and do not neglect your own health and seek your own support if needed.