What Is World Suicide Prevention Day?

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History

Suicide Prevention Efforts

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World Suicide Prevention Dayis observed on September 10th every year to support the worldwide commitment to suicide prevention.

History of World Suicide Prevention Day

The initial goal was to amplify the message that “suicide is preventable.” Over the years, though, World Suicide Prevention Day has grown and evolved its messaging to include themes such as “Suicide Prevention: One World Connected” and “Take a Minute, Change a Life.”

This year’s, 2022, theme “Creating Hope Through Action” focuses on the importance of taking action, no matter how big or small, to help individuals who are suffering.

“By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them,” saysIASP. “By encouraging understanding, reaching in, and sharing experiences, we want to give people the confidence to take action. To prevent suicide requires us to become a beacon of light to those in pain. You can be the light.”

All of these are observed in the United States throughout September and are helping reduce thestigmaassociated with mental health, substance misuse, and suicide.

How to Support Suicide Prevention Efforts

It’s important to learn about thewarning signs and risk factors of suicide. You should also take proactive steps to safeguard your own mental health, encourage help-seeking, and empower your friends, family, colleagues, and communities to support one another should a crisis occur, explainsStephanie Rogers, Senior Vice President of Communications & Marketing at theAmerican Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

The best thing you can do is armor yourself with information and take action when you recognizesigns or symptoms of depression,suicidal thoughts, orself-harm, indicating that someone is at risk of contemplating or attempting suicide.

To observe World Suicide Prevention Day, Rogers suggests taking the following steps:

You can also attend an event, host your own, donate money, or volunteer your time to support the ongoing work of local, national, and international organizations that are working to prevent suicide around the world.

Organizations that offer substance misuse services, behavioral health services, and mental health care are essential to preventing suicide. So are homeless shelters, community support groups, and other services that support individuals through personal hardships.

The New 988 Suicide Hotline is Live

It can be hard to know when someone may be thinking about suicide, explains Doreen Marshall, PhD, Vice President of Mission Engagement at the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

Take notice of changes in behavior, expressions of hopelessness, changes in mood, or difficulty with daily activities that could indicate the presence of a worsening mental health condition, and don’t be afraid to ask someone if they have been having thoughts of suicide, especially if they’re experiencing significant life stressors.

While mental health professionals have education, tools, and resources to support individuals struggling with their mental health, Dr. Marshall says we all play a critical role in suicide prevention. Having an open, authentic conversation about mental health with loved ones is a great first step.

This may not be easy, of course, but Dr. Marshall offers some useful tips:

For additional conversation starters, you can download the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s#RealConvo guides.

If you’re concerned about what you’re noticing or become aware that you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, Dr. Marshall says it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional for support.

Mental health looks different for everyone, but we all need support. No matter if it’s a loved one, a neighbor, a therapist, or a community organization, it’s important to have a reliable network of people who are there when life gets hard.

This World Suicide Prevention Day, open the lines of communication. If you know someone who is struggling, reach out to them. If you, yourself, are struggling, open up to a loved one or a mental health expert. Starting the conversation is an important first step in getting help.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

A Word From Verywell

The narrative around mental health is changing in the United States. Health plans are now offering their membersbehavioral health services. Employers are prioritizing theiremployees’ mental healthwith increased paid time off. Celebrities are talking about their own mental illnesses. Mental health services, fromfree appstoonline therapy, are becoming more accessible and more affordable. Still, a stigma exists and it’s important to continue to address it.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.International Association for Suicide Prevention.WSPD2021 - IASP.World Health Organization.Suicide worldwide in 2019: global health estimates.International Association for Suicide Prevention.About - IASP WSPD History Ribbon Launch Themes.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.International Association for Suicide Prevention.WSPD2021 - IASP.World Health Organization.Suicide worldwide in 2019: global health estimates.International Association for Suicide Prevention.About - IASP WSPD History Ribbon Launch Themes.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

International Association for Suicide Prevention.WSPD2021 - IASP.World Health Organization.Suicide worldwide in 2019: global health estimates.International Association for Suicide Prevention.About - IASP WSPD History Ribbon Launch Themes.

International Association for Suicide Prevention.WSPD2021 - IASP.

World Health Organization.Suicide worldwide in 2019: global health estimates.

International Association for Suicide Prevention.About - IASP WSPD History Ribbon Launch Themes.

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