Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention remains a universal challenge. Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds.
Preventing suicide is often possible and you could be a key person in its prevention!
On September 10th, every year, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) provides the opportunity for people, across the globe, to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.
Every life lost represents someone’s partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected. This amounts to 108 million people per year who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviour. Suicidal behaviour includes suicide, and also encompases suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. For every suicide, 25 people make a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.
The Internal Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) invites you to browse their website to find WSPD banners, the World Suicide Prevention Day brochure, WSPD suggested activities, Light a Candle postcards, #WSPD facts and figures and other resources, including, lapel pins, wristbands and keychains. You can access the resources here: https://www.iasp.info/wspd2020/
Could your church host a World Suicide Prevention Service?
We need to talk about Suicide!
Joe Rafferty, from Zero Suicide Alliance said the true impact of the coronavirus on mental health will not be known until the pandemic ends.
But he said "the stress and worry of the coronavirus is bound to have impacted people's mental health".
"Suicide is a serious public health issue and every single death by suicide devastates families, friends and communities," he added.
There were 6,507 suicides registered in the UK in 2018, with three-quarters of them among men, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The Zero Suicide Alliance online course aims to help spot the signs that a person may need help.
They provide a range of awareness training options, which provide a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts.
If you would like to find out how to help someone, you can access the resources and training by clicking the button below.
What is the cost of the pandemic to men’s mental health? Happiful article 11th August 2020
Four in 10 men feel they have been negatively affected by the isolation and social restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, says mental health charity Samaritans
A new poll of 2,000 men aged 18 to 59 found that 42% of UK men said their mental health had been negatively affected by life in lockdown, with the charity pointing to the lack of social connection as a contributing factor. To read the full article, click the button below.