10 September: World Suicide Prevention Day
by Helen G // 10 September 2010, 07:30
"Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention across the World"
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that on average, almost 3000 people die by suicide daily, representing a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds.
According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) website, although there are significant differences in the profiles and circumstances of suicidal individuals in different parts of the world, nevertheless it's clear that feeling connected is an important factor in the mental health of everyone:
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 towards being better connected, through sharing information, expertise and time, we can do a great deal to help those who are in need, desperate, and vulnerable to suicide.
As a focal point for this aim, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed each year on 10 September and the IASP website - link here - has numerous suggestions to enable anyone to get involved.
This year we are starting a new activity which anyone can do in support of: World Suicide Prevention Day, suicide prevention and awareness, survivors of suicide and for the memory of loved lost ones. It is called "Light a Candle on World Suicide Prevention Day at 8 PM."
The idea - a simple gesture of empathy - is that, at 8pm on 10 September, participants light a candle near a window as a way of showing support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of suicide.
WSPD banner downloaded from http://www.iasp.info/wspd/2010_wspd_banner.php