World Suicide Prevention Day
Annually suicide is among the 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. Every life lost is a partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. Additionally, for each suicide there are people who suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected by the loss of someone to suicide.
You can make a difference, you can raise awareness, educate yourself and others about the causes of suicide and warning signs for suicide, show compassion and care for those who are in distress in your community, question the stigma associated with suicide, suicidal behaviour and mental health problems and share your own experiences.
Help and support is available, you do not have to suffer alone. Talk to someone you trust. This could be a family member or your friends. You can talk to your GP or phone a helpline. If you are worried about someone else, try to talk to them, just listening to what someone has to say can be helpful. Creating a safety plan is also something you can do if you or someone you are supporting has suicidal thoughts.
Importantly not everyone who thinks about suicide will tell someone and there are some people who give no indication at all of their intention. However, there are warning signs that we can all look out for. These include, if a person is:
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide.
- Actively looking for ways to take their own life.
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
- Talking about being a burden to others.
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Suddenly appearing ‘recovered’ after a period of depression.
- Visiting or calling people unexpectedly to say goodbye either directly or indirectly.
- Making arrangements; setting their affairs in order.
- Giving things away, such as prized possession
Support is available, including:
Havant Adults’ Safe Haven | 6pm to 10pm, 365 days
Freephone 0300 303 1560
Young Person’s Safe Haven | 5pm-8pm, Tuesday-Thursday
Freephone 0300 303 1580
Samaritans – samaritans.org / 116123
ChildLine – childline.org.uk / 0800 1111
Papyrus – papyrus-uk.org / 0800 0684141
If you would like to find out more, we deliver training courses on conservation starting, mental health first aid and more. Or if you would like to access support for yourself or find out more for a friend/ family member/ colleague visit www.easthantsmind.org
World Suicide Prevention Day is 10th September. We will be sharing support and service information all week. Please share our information if you feel able to.
Posted on: 10th September 2021
