World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.
One in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of suicide. It can affect every one of us. Each and every suicide is devastating and has a profound impact on those around them. However, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world. World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote action through proven means that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally.
WSPD
You can provide support by:
- Reaching Out
- Encouraging Understanding and
- Sharing Experiences.
“Creating Hope Through Action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023. This theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention.
Activities:
World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th, is an opportunity for all sectors to focus attention on suicide prevention. Examples of diverse activities to promote understanding about suicide and highlight effective prevention activities which can support World Suicide Prevention Day include:
- Launching new initiatives, policies and strategies on World Suicide Prevention Day.
- Holding conferences, open days, educational seminars or public lectures and panels.
- Writing articles for national, regional and community newspapers, blogs and magazines.
- Holding press conferences.
- Placing information on your website.
- Securing interviews and speaking spots on radio and television.
- Organising memorial services, events, candlelight ceremonies or walks to remember those who have died by suicide.
- Asking national politicians with responsibility for health, public health, mental health or suicide prevention to make relevant announcements, release policies or make supportive statements or press releases on WSPD.
- Holding depression awareness events.
- Organising cultural or spiritual events, fairs or exhibitions.
- Organising walks to political or public places to highlight suicide prevention.
- Holding book launches, or launches for new booklets, guides or pamphlets.
- Distributing leaflets, posters and other written information.
- Organising concerts, BBQs, breakfasts, luncheons, contests, fairs in public places.
- Writing editorials for scientific, medical, education, nursing, law and other relevant journals.
- Disseminating research findings.
- Producing press releases for new research papers.
- Holding training courses in suicide and depression awareness.
- Lighting a candle near a window at 8 PM in support of: World Suicide Prevention Day, suicide prevention and awareness, survivors of suicide and for the memory of loved lost ones.
- Participating in the World Suicide Prevention Day – Cycle Around the Globe.
- Submitting a listing of WSPD Events and activities.
Find out more about how you can support World Suicide Prevention day here.
