Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, an awareness day that has now been taking place for 20 years.
Globally, an estimated 703,000 people die by suicide every year – a rate that is sadly on the increase. The aim of today is to spread the word across the world that suicide can be prevented.
The theme this year is ‘creating hope through action’, we are encouraging you to share this post filled with helpful resources that can help to support those most in need.
Start conversations – We know that talking about mental health and suicide prevention isn’t an easy topic, but it is important to have compassionate and open discussions. Encourage people to talk about their feelings, struggles and experiences without judgement. Helpful tips on how to do this can be found on the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s website.
Spread awareness – Share our post filled with statistics, facts, resources and messages that emphasise the importance of seeking help.
Learn the signs and reach out – You do not need to tell people what to do, or have the answers to any of their problems, but simply being there for someone can give them hope when they are in distress. There are many helpful resources to spot some of the signs that someone might be in distress and what to do if you see them.
Share your story ❤️ – Sharing your story of lived experience (whether it’s your own experience of suicide or that of supporting someone) is extremely powerful. It can strengthen and inform our understanding and approaches to suicide. It helps connect us to more human experiences and ensures we develop more appropriate and nuanced responses.
Speak to us if you need help – If you live in Birmingham and urgent mental health help is needed, you can ring 0121 262 3555 (24/7). Remember, it’s okay to not be okay and a team of dedicated mental health professionals are here for you. You can also email help@birminghammind.org if you would rather type, and not talk. There is also a webchat service available: www.birminghammind.org/what-we-do/helpline/
Social media – You can spread messages of hope and support by using the hashtags #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #CreatingHopeThroughAction #WSPD #WSPD2023 #BeTheLight
Published: 10 September 2023
