After a successful launch in 2003, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is now held every year on 10 September around the world. On this day, numerous events, conferences, campaigns and local activities call to public attention one of the world’s largest causes of premature and unnecessary death – suicide.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), calls upon governments, government agencies, NGOs, international and national associations, local communities, clinicians, researchers and volunteers to be involved in the organisation of WSPD activities.
It is often asked, how can we best connect with each other in a world that appears so disconnected? We strongly believe that if our communities work together, through sharing information, expertise and time, we can do a great deal to help those who are in need, and vulnerable to suicide.
We believe that through a combined effort at an international and local level, a difference to the lives of many will be made. The aim of these activities is to promote increased awareness about the problem of suicide and the many ways in which we can work to reduce suicide rates and the incidence of suicidal behaviours.
This years theme is: Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention Around the World. From WSPD - click here
Signs of someone considering suicide:
Friends are often the first ones to know if a person is threatening suicide, more so than Dr's or health professionals. Just listening to a friend can be of so much support and help them get help. Signs can include; change in behaviour - not mixing like they used to staying at home, not joining in, or the opposite - acting aggressively and fighting a lot, difficulty sleeping, or sleeping a lot, mentioning thoughts of suicide, talking about death, suggesting that things would be better off without them, feeling depressed, sad, changes in weight, feeling like no one cares, giving away possessions.
A friend who called me was talking about her life and an affair she had been having with my ex, and as she was about to finish the conversation, said to me on the phone: "you wouldn't bother coming around here if you knew what I had done". That was all that was said and then she hung up. I quickly got into the car, and I went around to her place, she had taken a bottle of sleeping tablets, and was unconscious on the lounge. Her baby in it's bedroom, drugged as well. I am so thankful that I went there that day. I called for an ambulance straight away and they were able to save her life.
If you have been affected by suicide or know someone that you think is at risk, click on one of the links below.
IASP information click here
Wesley Mission click here to write a message on the Remembrance Wall
Suicide Prevention Australia Links Page
