World Suicide Prevention Day: September 10th 2021
Here’s what you need to know
Mark your calendars. This year, World Suicide Prevention day falls on Friday, the 10th of September. But what is WSPD exactly? And why is it important?
WSPD began in 2003. Since then, it has helped raise awareness with one message: suicide can be prevented. It continues to grow year after year, with more countries participating and hosting events to help spread awareness.
Over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, and it is still widely looked on as a taboo topic. Nobody wants to talk about it; it’s easier to shove it under the rug. Though in recent years, there have been vast improvements in the having the tough conversations, there are still those who live in silence, isolation and fear.
What can you do to help? Be a part of the conversation. Be willing to listen to those who just need someone to vent to. Look for the warning signs in someone, and be able to recognize them. And most importantly, educate yourself. A vast majority of the population still believe depression and thoughts of suicide are a choice. “Just snap out of it”. “You just need to think more positive”. It’s not that simple. If it were, maybe I wouldn’t have suffered the last twelve years with invading thoughts. Maybe I could have lived out the better part of my teens and in my 20’s not worried about not making it to 30.
Below are someways you can help educate yourself, or find campaigns worldwide that can help those who have been affected by suicide. These listed of course are only some. There are plenty of others all over the world.
One of the campaigns that is hosted every year is by TWLOHA (To write love on her arms). Every year, they come up with a slogan for their campaign. This year? It’s “Another day with you”. This is the one that I myself have become involved with, and have for the past five years. Every year, they aim to raise money for treatment and recovery, and to help eliminate the barriers people can face when trying to seek out professional help.
You can check out their campaign for this year here.
For Canadians: you can find different programs offered year round through the Canadian Mental Health Association; most provinces have their own. They offer programs for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, those who are coping after attempted suicide, and for loved ones who just want to learn more about suicide and what they can do to help those in their lives who may need it.
You can also check out the Canadian association for suicide prevention. This year, they’re hosting an online virtual event entitled “creating hope through action”. At this virtual event, a group of people who’ll share stories on their own personal experiences with suicide related behaviours, as well as what was and wasn’t supportive to them during this time. People are also encouraged to light a candle at 8pm, local time to wherever you may be, and put it in your window as you “Light a Flame of Hope”
A person dies by suicide once every forty seconds. By the time you have read this (I’m not sure how fast of a reader you are!) 2-4 people have committed suicide. It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?
In addition to that, it is said that for every death related to suicide, there are 4 attempts. But why is this important?
It’s important we educate ourselves. For those who have never experienced the feelings of being suicidal, it’s hard for them to understand and to grasp onto the concept. For me, though the thoughts were scary at first, I have learned how to properly cope with them. I’ve stayed silent in the past, but no more. If people want to look at me different, or judge me because of it, then so be it. But if at least one person finds solace and comfort in knowing they’re not alone, then I’ve set out to do what I’ve accomplished. I aim to be the person I wish I had have had in my life back when I was 16 and first experiencing these thoughts; someone to listen, care, understand, and not judge. Someone who wasn’t dismissive of my feelings. Someone who didn’t tell me I was just “sad” and would get over it. Trust me, I would if I could.
So this September 10th, don’t forget to light a candle and put it in your window at 8pm, as a light of Hope.
And don’t forget of course, this isn’t something to just be forgotten about after a day. This is an ongoing issue.
If you or are loved one is experiencing any suicidal thoughts, don’t hesitate to reach out; included above are hotlines by country.
About the Creator
Anna Kerr
| hockey fan | occasional writer | skyrim |
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