World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

🅆🄾🅁🄻🄳  🅂🅄🄸🅂🄲🄸🄳🄴  🄿🅁🄴🅅🄴🄽🅃🄸🄾🄽  🄼🄾🄽🅃🄷
ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴ ᴏʙꜱᴇʀᴠᴀɴᴄᴇ

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬 - 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬

The theme for 2024 is 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide' with an associated call to action of 'Start the Conversation'.

To mark the day, we will be lighting up our headquarters, The Curve, orange to show our support for suicide prevention, to remember a loved one and for the survivors of suicide.

1.Learn the warning signs of suicide.

Suicide is a deeply complex and personal issue, and it’s important to remember that not everyone who has a mental health condition or experiences risk factors contemplates or plans suicide. Nevertheless, it is vital to know the warning signs that someone might be at immediate risk for a suicide attempt.

▪️Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill oneself
▪️Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
▪️Talking about feeling trapped or that one has no solutions
▪️Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
▪️Talking about being a burden to others
▪️Withdrawing from family and friends
▪️Giving away important possessions
▪️Saying goodbye to family and friends
▪️Putting affairs in order, such as making a will or arranging home and financial logistics
▪️Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast or using drugs and alcohol more often
▪️▪️Displaying extreme mood swings
▪️Making a plan or looking for ways to acquire lethal weapons, stockpiling pills, or purchasing a gun
▪️Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

2.Learn the correct terminology.

In order to break through and have difficult, life-saving conversations, we need to know what language to use. Here are a few helpful words to add to your vocabulary and help you dive a bit deeper into suicide prevention work. Again, these insights are from the National Institute of Mental Health. You can check out the organization’s suicide prevention guide for additional information and resources.

▪️Suicide: when people harm themselves with the goal of ending their life, and they die as a result.
▪️Suicide attempt: a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt might not result in injury. (Experts suggest avoiding terms like “failed suicide” or “successful suicide,” which perpetuate negative stigmas.)
▪️Suicidal ideation: refers to thinking about, considering, or planning suicide.

Another helpful language tip is to use the phrase “died by suicide,” instead of “committed suicide” when talking about someone who lost their life. Suicide is not a crime that one commits, but rather a complex outcome of illness and risk factors.

3.Learn the stats about suicide.

The statistics about suicide are very overwhelming and disheartening, but they help us get a better picture of the issue at hand. Here’s what you need to know:

▪️In 2020, suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death overall in the U.S., claiming the lives of over 45,900 people.
▪️Rates of suicide are highest among male Native Americans, at 37.4% per 100,000, according to the CDC in 2020.
▪️The use of firearms is the number one method of suicide, followed by suffocating and poisoning. For 57.9% of males and 33% of females, firearms are the chosen method, while 7.8% of males and 28.6% of females select poisoning.
▪️In 2020, the prevalence of serious suicidal thoughts was highest among young adults aged 18-25 at 11.3%
▪️LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
▪️Between 2007 and 2018 the suicide rate among those age 10 to 24 increased nearly 60%, according to the CDC.
▪️Suicide is the number one cause of gun deaths in the U.S., factoring at 60.3% of the number of gun deaths by intent in 2019.

4.Learn about effective ways to reduce suicide.

Suicide is a culmination of a number of nuanced factors, and preventing suicide includes loads of different people and institutions. From psychologists, clinicians, social workers, and public health experts, to first responders, policymakers, community members, and law enforcement — suicide prevention starts with basic science.

Diverse expertise and widespread education efforts are necessary to prioritize funding and resources for suicide prevention. Experts are advocating for greater funding for research to do their jobs and create effective policies for combatting suicide.

One of the key ways to reduce suicide is to enact stricter gun laws. By making guns more difficult to acquire, or by putting more time between gun licensing and purchasing, or simply by improving gun safety practices, firearm suicide will become less pervasive.

Additionally, suicide prevention efforts can be greatly supported by more accessible healthcare, allowing people to access help for their mental health as a preventative measure, rather than a reactionary one.

Developing mobile crisis services, peer crisis services, and crisis warmlines can also support people in crisis. This is often presented as an alternative to law enforcement intervention, removing the threat of institutionalization and allowing people to have agency over their suicide prevention care.

Another deeply important suicide prevention measure is by creating a world that is safer and more accepting of LGBTQ+ youth, who are highly at risk of suicide, due to social isolation, conversion therapy, and stress.

Though these are certainly not the only ways to reduce suicide, and we could spend hours writing about and researching each of these topics, these are a great starting point to learn more about suicide prevention in an intersectional and intentional way. 

5.Learn how to ask hard questions.

While most of us assume that asking a loved one about suicidality can increase suicidal tendencies, several studies have found that questions about suicide do not increase potential suicidality.

In fact, doing so could actually save a life.

6.Learn how to help someone struggling with suicide.

If someone shares their suicidal thoughts with you, you may feel a lot of pressure to respond “correctly”, but first and foremost remember: the fact that they shared this with you is a positive thing, and you now have the opportunity to help.

Some meaningful ways to celebrate World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) in educational institutions:

1. Awareness Campaigns
▪️Workshops and Seminars: Invite mental health professionals to speak about suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and coping strategies.
▪️Posters and Flyers: Display informative posters and distribute flyers that highlight the warning signs of suicide and provide resources for help.

2. Student-Led Initiatives
▪️Peer Support Groups: Encourage students to form peer support groups where they can share their feelings and support each other.
▪️Open Mic Sessions: Create a safe space for students to express their thoughts and experiences through poetry, stories, or music.

3. Educational Activities
▪️Classroom Discussions: Integrate discussions about mental health and suicide prevention into the curriculum.
▪️Role-Playing Exercises: Conduct role-playing activities to help students practice how to support a friend in crisis.

4. Community Engagement
▪️Walks and Runs: Organize a walk or run to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention organizations.
▪️Collaborations: Partner with local mental health organizations to provide resources and support.

5. Creative Expressions
▪️Art Exhibitions: Host an art exhibition where students can express their emotions and thoughts on mental health through various art forms.
▪️Writing Contests: Encourage students to write essays, poems, or stories about their experiences or thoughts on mental health.

6. Resource Distribution
▪️Helpline Information: Ensure that students have easy access to helpline numbers and mental health resources.
▪️Resource Kits: Distribute resource kits that include information on coping strategies, helplines, and support services.

7. Mindfulness and Wellness Activities
▪️Yoga and Meditation Sessions: Organize yoga and meditation sessions to promote mental well-being.
▪️Stress Management Workshops: Conduct workshops on stress management techniques and healthy coping mechanisms.

8. Social Media Campaigns

▪️Hashtag Campaigns: Use social media to spread awareness using hashtags like #WorldSuicidePreventionDay.
▪️Video Messages: Share video messages from students, teachers, and mental health professionals discussing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.

9. Memorials and Tributes
▪️Candlelight Vigils: Hold a candlelight vigil to honor those who have lost their lives to suicide and to show support for those struggling.
▪️Memory Walls: Create a memory wall where students can post messages of hope and remembrance.

10. Policy Advocacy
▪️Mental Health Policies: Advocate for the implementation of comprehensive mental health policies within the institution.
▪️Training for Staff: Provide training for teachers and staff on how to recognize and respond to signs of mental distress in students.

11. Mental Health First Aid Training
▪️Training Sessions: Offer mental health first aid training for students and staff to equip them with the skills to support someone in crisis.
▪️Certification Programs: Partner with mental health organizations to provide certification programs in mental health first aid.

12. Interactive Panels and Q&A Sessions
▪️Expert Panels: Host panels with mental health experts, survivors, and advocates to discuss suicide prevention and mental health.
▪️Q&A Sessions: Allow students to ask questions anonymously to experts, providing a safe space for them to seek information and support.

13. Resource Centers
▪️Mental Health Resource Centers: Establish a dedicated space on campus where students can access mental health resources, counseling services, and support groups.
▪️Online Resources: Create an online portal with information on mental health, coping strategies, and where to get help.

14. Parent and Guardian Involvement
▪️Workshops for Parents: Conduct workshops for parents and guardians to educate them on the signs of mental distress and how to support their children.
▪️Communication Channels: Establish clear communication channels between the school and parents to discuss mental health concerns.

15. Regular Check-Ins
▪️Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship programs where students are paired with mentors who regularly check in on their well-being.
▪️Wellness Surveys: Conduct anonymous wellness surveys to gauge the mental health status of students and identify those who may need additional support.

16. Cultural and Religious Sensitivity
▪️Inclusive Practices: Ensure that mental health initiatives are inclusive and sensitive to the cultural and religious backgrounds of students.
▪️Spiritual Support: Provide access to spiritual support for students who find comfort in their faith during difficult times.

17. Collaborative Projects
▪️Group Projects: Encourage students to work on projects related to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, fostering teamwork and shared purpose.
▪️Community Service: Organize community service activities that promote mental well-being and support local mental health organizations.

18. Positive Reinforcement
▪️Recognition Programs: Recognize and reward students who actively participate in mental health initiatives and support their peers.
▪️Positive Messaging: Use positive messaging throughout the school to promote a culture of kindness, support, and understanding.

19. Crisis Response Plans
▪️Emergency Protocols: Develop and communicate clear protocols for responding to mental health crises within the school.
▪️Support Teams: Establish crisis response teams that include counselors, teachers, and administrators trained to handle mental health emergencies.

20. Follow-Up and Continuous Support
▪️Ongoing Support: Ensure that support for students does not end after WSPD. Provide continuous mental health resources and support throughout the year.
▪️Feedback Mechanisms: Create channels for students to provide feedback on mental health initiatives and suggest improvements.

These ideas aim to create a supportive and proactive environment in educational institutions, fostering open conversations about mental health and providing the necessary resources and support to prevent suicide.

(Note: Articles pertaining to personal ideas, innovative ideas for prevention, posters depicting prevention, slogans....from students and teachers to upload on UNGC website Publications for global views.
Connect us at +91 9944313953)

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗨𝗡.

ᴩᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇᴅ ʙʏ:  ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴜɴ ᴠᴏʟᴜɴᴛᴇᴇʀꜱ - ɪɴᴅɪᴀ