Thursday 10th September 2020
World Suicide Prevention Day is an international awareness day observed on the 10th September each year to provide a focus for dedicated action to prevent suicide. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health to host World Suicide Prevention Day.
Suicide Touches Us All
Close to one million people each year die by suicide worldwide, making suicide among the most prominent international health issues.
There were 3046 deaths by suicide in Australia in 2018. Suicide is the leading cause of deaths among Australians aged between 15 and 44 years. Females make more suicide attempts than men, however more men die by suicide. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experience a significantly higher suicide rate.
Beyond the statistics, suicide leaves profound emotional, social, and economic impacts for families, friends and communities. Suicide challenges us to do as much as possible to reduce emotional pain and distress and to save lives.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is a challenging and complex issue. There is no single solution, service or initiative that will reduce suicide and its impact. It requires all of us to play a role and share responsibility to support community members and their families.
Suicide prevention encompasses a wide range of activities including health promotion, early intervention, crisis support and ongoing support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, aftercare support for people following a suicide attempt, support for carers and suicide bereavement support for families, friends, colleagues and communities impacted by suicide.
Over recent years, the support for whole of community and whole of government suicide prevention has increased significantly. There is currently unprecedented focus on and investment in suicide prevention. Communities and individuals play an important role in saving lives. Through encouraging people to talk about suicide with a focus on help-seeking and supporting people to find solutions, and increasing understanding about suicide prevention, invitations for help and how to respond when you notice someone may be struggling, we can all make a difference. We must ensure that discussions are safe and based on accurate information that leads to people feeling empowered and that the language and content of our discussions does not cause harm to those who hear them.
If you are struggling to cope or thinking about suicide, support is available. You don’t need to face your troubles alone. Lifeline’s Crisis Supporters are available to listen and keep you safe. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The above information has been sourced from https://rosesintheocean.com.au/wspd-2020/
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information.
