World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

“A permanent solution to a temporary state.”

We often don’t hear about the suicide attempts or completions of those around us. They are masked because of guilt and shame or for fear of it being ‘contagious’. Because we don’t talk about it, those around us can suffer in silence, unaware of the supports that may be available to them. There is little funding because there is no public outcry. We distance ourselves by thinking of these people as crazy or weak. But the issue of suicide touches us all – whether directly or indirectly.

What Does World Suicide Day Do?

World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10th each year as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). Begun in 2003, the purpose of World Suicide Prevention Day is to improve education about suicide, disseminate information, decrease stigmatization and, most importantly, raise awareness that suicide is preventable.

Suicide Prevention And Awareness

Anyone can show their support of suicide prevention and awareness, or for the survivors of suicide and/or for the memory of loved ones lost. It is called “Light a Candle on World Suicide Prevention Day at 8 PM.”

Get to know the resources that are available to help and that you can connect with if you suspect that someone is vulnerable. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

Some Quick Facts About Suicide:

Death By Suicide is a leading cause of death for people worldwide
It is one of the three leading causes of death for young people under 25.
Every year, approximately one million people die by suicide – one death every two minutes.
The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2020, this annual toll of suicide deaths will have risen to one and half million, and suicide will represent 2.4% of the global burden of disease.
Death by Suicide accounts for more than half of all violent deaths in the world. This is more than all deaths from wars and homicides combined.
Every year many millions more people make serious suicide attempts which while, they do not result in death, require medical treatment and mental health care, and reflect severe personal unhappiness or illness. Millions more people – the family members and close friends of those who die by suicide – are bereaved and affected by suicide each year, with the impact of this loss often lasting for a lifetime.
Suicide exacts huge psychological and social costs, and the economic costs of suicide to society (lost productivity, health and social care costs) are estimated at many billions of dollars each year.
Because almost a quarter of suicides are teenagers and young adults less than 25 (250 000 suicides each year), Death By Suicide is a leading cause of premature death, accounting for more than 20 million years of healthy life lost

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating World Suicide Prevention Day:

Read and learn as much as you can about suicide – it’s prevalence, the signs and symptoms, personal stories from survivors. Understand that this is not an issue that affects only a few in our society. Understand the pain that those who even consider suicide as an option must be in.
Be open and be not afraid. Listen to what your friends and family may be telling you about how they are feeling and coping. Are there any warning signs – if so, don’t be afraid to ask directly about the issue of suicide. Show them that you care enough to ask. Let them know that you aren’t going to run away or judge them if they admit to these dark thoughts.
Know the resources that are available to help. Who in the community can you connect with if you suspect that someone is vulnerable.
Light a candle if you can and let other’s know that you care enough to light the candle. Post it on your Facebook page, your webpage or create a poster and post it at your workplace, your community center or place of worship.

Support Those In Need

Suicide is a difficult issue to discuss, but it is even a more difficult issue to experience. Let’s help support those who are in pain so that they can find a better solution to living a peaceful and purposeful life.

If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!