Creating Hope Through Action on 10th September for World Suicide Prevention Day

Creating Hope Through Action on 10th September for World Suicide Prevention Day

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 9, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Globally, an estimated 703,000 people die by suicide each year among which 77% of the deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries (WHO 2022). These global suicide rates are a serious public health concern. Every life lost to suicide creates a devastating impact to families, communities, and nations.

To highlight this issue and raise awareness, September 10 is marked every year as the World Suicide Prevention Day. International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) established this day in 2003 in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to send the message that suicides are preventable through evidence-based action. IASP leads the global effort in preventing suicide and suicidal behavior and alleviating its effects.

As the convening organization, IASP has set the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year as “Creating Hope through Action”. ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. We can act by reaching in to someone who may be in distress, encouraging understanding around the issue, and sharing our experiences in a safe way. Through our actions, we can also let people experiencing suicidal thoughts know that there is hope and that we want to support them.

Therefore, preventing suicide requires collective action from all of us if we are to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) target of reducing global suicide mortality by one-third by 2030. The WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 highlights suicide prevention as an important priority and recommends actions to prevent suicide not only from the health sector, but also from other sectors such as the media simultaneously. The plan also urges governments to develop and implement comprehensive national strategies for the prevention of suicide, with special attention to vulnerable groups.

IASP hopes for everyone’s involvement and active participation during this day. Together we can prevent suicide.

Contacts:

General communication enquiries:

• Globally: Communications@iasp.info

Notes for editors:

The International Association for Suicide Prevention

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) leads the global effort in suicide prevention having developed an effective forum that is proactive in creating strong collaborative partnerships and promoting evidence-based action in order to reduce the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour (www.iasp.info). Established in 1960, IASP is the largest international association dedicated to suicide prevention and to the alleviation of the effects of suicide and collaborates closely with relevant international organisations.

World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was first launched in 2003 on 10 September by IASP with the endorsement of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 10th of September each year has been designated as a way of focusing attention on the problems of suicide worldwide. Specific WSPD activities have taken place in over 70 countries with the purpose of raising awareness globally of suicidal behaviour. https://www.iasp.info/wspd/

Important note: Journalists reporting on this subject are advised to include information on relevant help lines and websites. The following website provides details of Crisis Centres around the globe: https://www.iasp.info/crisis-centres-helplines/

Journalists reporting on this subject are also advised to adhere to the following guidelines.

https://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention/resource_booklet_2017/en/

Katherine Thomson
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
+44 7470596521
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Creating Hope Through Action