World Suicide Prevention Day is a day of awareness organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
The following facts, resources, and ideas are sourced from the WHO.
Facts About Suicide:
- Globally, nearly 800,000 people die from suicide each year. That’s one person every 40 seconds.
- It is estimated that for each adult who dies by suicide, there may be more than 20 others who attempt suicide.
- A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens between 15 and 19 years old.
Promising intervention efforts include programs that help young people build life skills that enable them to cope with life stresses; early identification, management and follow-up of people at risk of suicide; and the break down of the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health disorders.
Stigma is a major obstacle for many people thinking of taking their own life or who have attempted suicide in the past to not seek the help they need.
“The prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health problem and the taboo in many societies to openly discuss it.” – WHO
Resources:
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.
Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
You can also call the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline at 800-950-NAMI.
Talkspace enables you to communicate with a therapist one-on-one, online. They offer a free consultation so you can learn about the service at no cost and see if it’s right for you.