World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th 2023

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD)is an annual awareness day aimed at raising awareness about suicide, to promote suicide prevention efforts and provide support to individuals who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or have been affected by suicide. This global observance is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Here are some key aspects and objectives of World Suicide Prevention Day:

Raise Awareness: WSPD aims to raise public awareness about the global issue of suicide and its impact on individuals, families and communities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and suicide as public health concerns.

Promote Understanding: The day encourages open and honest discussions about suicide, mental health and related topics. It seeks to combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions and suicidal behaviour.

Share Resources: Organisations and communities often use this day to share information about available resources for mental health support and suicide prevention. This can include hotlines, crisis centres, counselling services and educational material.

Encourage Help-Seeking: One of the primary objectives is to encourage individuals who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts to seek help and support. By fostering a supportive environment, people are more likely to reach out for assistance.

Promote Prevention: WSPD serves as a platform to highlight suicide prevention initiatives and strategies. These may include training for healthcare professionals, community programs and government policies aimed at reducing suicide rates.

Global Unity: WSPD is observed worldwide and it emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in tackling suicide. The day encourages people from different countries and cultures to work together to prevent suicide.

Advocacy and Policy Change: In addition to raising awareness, WSPD provides an opportunity for advocacy and policy change. Activists, organisations and individuals may use the day to advocate for improved mental health services and suicide prevention policies.

Education and Training: It’s an occasion to provide training and education on recognizing the signs of suicidal behaviour and how to intervene effectively. Schools, workplaces and community organisations often conduct workshops and seminars on this day.

It is important to remember that suicide prevention is not limited to a single day, but requires ongoing efforts throughout the year.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s essential to seek professional help immediately. Click here to visit the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation’s website: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/suicide-prevention

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